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Related Concept Videos

Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation01:12

Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation

Some cycloaddition reactions are activated by heat, while others are initiated by light. For example, a [2 + 2] cycloaddition between two ethylene molecules occurs only in the presence of light. It is photochemically allowed but thermally forbidden.
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry01:26

Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

The absorption of UV–visible light by conjugated systems causes the promotion of an electron from the ground state to the excited state. Consequently, photochemical electrocyclic reactions proceed via the excited-state HOMO rather than the ground-state HOMO. Since the ground- and excited-state HOMOs have different symmetries, the stereochemical outcome of electrocyclic reactions depends on the mode of activation; i.e., thermal or photochemical.
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Single Molecule Analysis of Laser Localized Psoralen Adducts
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Published on: April 20, 2017

Laser-induced chemical reactions.

N V Karlov

    Applied Optics
    |February 4, 2010
    PubMed
    Summary

    Infrared lasers can selectively stimulate chemical reactions without heating. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser light demonstrates this potential, as seen with boron trichloride (BCl3) molecules.

    Area of Science:

    • Chemical Physics
    • Laser Chemistry
    • Molecular Spectroscopy

    Background:

    • Selective chemical reactions can be stimulated nonthermally using lasers.
    • Infrared lasers are particularly promising due to their wavelengths matching molecular vibrational frequencies.
    • Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers offer a tunable source for such applications.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the potential of CO2 laser light for inducing chemical reactions.
    • To demonstrate the selective, nonthermal stimulation of molecular transformations.
    • To investigate the interaction of CO2 laser light with specific molecules like BCl3.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilizing a CO2 laser system to irradiate molecular samples.
    • Analyzing the resulting chemical products and reaction pathways.

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    Published on: February 14, 2014

    Laser-induced Forward Transfer for Flip-chip Packaging of Single Dies
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  • Correlating laser wavelength with molecular vibrational modes.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstrated the induction of chemical reactions using CO2 laser light.
    • Observed selective molecular excitation and subsequent reactions.
    • Confirmed the nonthermal nature of the laser-induced process.

    Conclusions:

    • CO2 laser light can effectively induce nonthermal chemical reactions.
    • Selective molecular stimulation via infrared lasers is feasible.
    • Boron trichloride (BCl3) serves as a model system for laser-induced chemistry.