Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Oxygenic Photosynthesis

Oxygenic Photosynthesis

Oxygenic photosynthesis is a fundamental process in which light energy is harnessed to drive the oxidation of water, leading to the production of molecular oxygen (O₂), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). This process is essential for sustaining aerobic life on Earth and is primarily carried out by cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The core of oxygenic photosynthesis lies in the thylakoid membranes, where chlorophyll pigments facilitate light...

Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

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

Catalysis

Catalysis

Catalysis influences the rate of chemical reactions by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy. A catalyst speeds up a reaction, but it is not consumed during the process. The fundamental principle of catalysis is the ability of a catalyst to alter the reaction mechanism, often introducing a more efficient pathway than the uncatalyzed process.In a catalyzed reaction, the catalyst participates directly in the reaction mechanism. It interacts with reactants to form...

Catalysis

Catalysis

The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.

The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis

The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis

The light reactions of photosynthesis assume a linear flow of electrons from water to NADP+. During this process, light energy drives the splitting of water molecules to produce oxygen. However, oxidation of water molecules is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction and requires a strong oxidizing agent. This is accomplished by the first product of light reactions: oxidized P680 (or P680+), the most powerful oxidizing agent known in biology. The oxidized P680 that acquires an electron from the...

Photosystem II

Photosystem II

The multi-protein complex photosystem II (PS II) harvests photons and transfers their energy through its bound pigments to its reaction center, and ultimately to photosystem I (PSI) through the electron transport chain. The pigments responsible for caputirng the light energy in photosystems include chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids.
The pigment molecules are arranged across two photosystem domains — the antenna complex and the reaction center. The main aim of the pigment molecules...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Synthesis of aryl sulfides <i>via</i> visible light-induced solventylation in diarylazo sulfides.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2026

Same author

Visible-Light-Mediated Radical Truce-Smiles Rearrangement via Arylazo Sulfones.

JACS Au·2025

Same author

Chiral heterogeneous photocatalysts for enantioselective synthesis: standing on the shoulders of organocatalysis.

Chemical science·2025

Same author

Aldehydes as CO Releasing Molecules: <i>In Situ</i> and <i>Ex Situ</i> Giese Reactions and Palladium-Catalyzed Aminocarbonylations.

Organic letters·2025

Same author

A Decarbonylative Strategy to Enhance Efficiency and Regioselectivity in Photocatalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer.

JACS Au·2025

Same author

A Telescoped Strategy for the Preparation of Five-Membered Hetero- and Carbocycles via Hydrogen Atom Transfer Photocatalysis in Flow.

ChemSusChem·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Published on: May 22, 2016

Photoorganocatalysis. What for?

Davide Ravelli¹, Maurizio Fagnoni, Angelo Albini

¹PhotoGreen Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, V.Le Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

Chemical Society Reviews

|September 20, 2012

Summary

Photoorganocatalysis uses light to activate organic molecules, enabling chemical reactions via electron or hydrogen transfer. This method efficiently generates reactive intermediates for various transformations under mild conditions.

Area of Science:

Organic Chemistry
Photochemistry
Catalysis

Background:

Photoorganocatalysis utilizes organic molecules to catalyze reactions upon irradiation.
Activation mechanisms involve hydrogen or electron transfer processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the applications and mechanisms of photoorganocatalysis.
To highlight the generation of reactive intermediates under mild conditions.

Main Methods:

Irradiation of organic molecules to initiate catalytic cycles.
Employing common photoorganocatalysts like aromatic ketones, quinones, heterocycles, and dyes.
Utilizing precursors such as alkanes, alkenes, amines, and ethers.

Main Results:

More Related Videos

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H₂ Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

Published on: October 5, 2019

Synthesis and Performance Evaluations of ZnCoS/ZnCdS with Twin Crystal Structure for Multifunctional Redox Photocatalysis in Energy Applications

Synthesis and Performance Evaluations of ZnCoS/ZnCdS with Twin Crystal Structure for Multifunctional Redox Photocatalysis in Energy Applications

Published on: July 25, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Published on: May 22, 2016

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H₂ Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

Published on: October 5, 2019

Synthesis and Performance Evaluations of ZnCoS/ZnCdS with Twin Crystal Structure for Multifunctional Redox Photocatalysis in Energy Applications

Synthesis and Performance Evaluations of ZnCoS/ZnCdS with Twin Crystal Structure for Multifunctional Redox Photocatalysis in Energy Applications

Published on: July 25, 2025

Generation of reactive intermediates including radicals, radical ions, and ions.

Achieved oxidation (oxygenation) and reduction processes.

Facilitated α-functionalization of amines and ketones, conjugate additions, and cycloadditions.

Conclusions:

Photoorganocatalysis offers a versatile approach for chemical synthesis.
The method enables the controlled generation of highly reactive intermediates.
Mild reaction conditions are a key characteristic of this catalytic strategy.