Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry01:26

Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

2.2K
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
2.2K
The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis01:34

The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis

13.0K
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...
13.0K
Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation01:12

Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation

2.6K
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.
2.6K
The Photochemical Reaction Center01:29

The Photochemical Reaction Center

5.2K
Reaction centers are pigment-protein complexes that initiate energy conversion from photons to chemical entities. Therefore, photochemical reaction center is a more appropriate term that describes these complexes. The Nobel laureates Robert Emerson and William Arnold provided the first experimental evidence of photochemical reaction centers by demonstrating the participation of nearly 2,500 chlorophyll molecules for the release of just one molecule of oxygen. Despite thousands of photosynthetic...
5.2K
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview01:26

Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview

2.9K
Electrocyclic reactions are reversible reactions. They involve an intramolecular cyclization or ring-opening of a conjugated polyene. Shown below are two examples of electrocyclic reactions. In the first reaction, the formation of the cyclic product is favored. In contrast, in the second reaction, ring-opening is favored due to the high ring strain associated with cyclobutene formation.
2.9K
Photosystem I01:27

Photosystem I

69.4K
Although structurally similar to photosystem II (PSII), photosystem I (PSI) is has a different electron supplier and electron acceptor.
Both these photosystems work in concert. An excited electron from PSII is relayed to PSI via an electron transport chain in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast, which is comprised of the carrier molecule plastoquinone, the dual-protein cytochrome complex, and plastocyanin. As electrons move between PSII and PSI, they lose energy and must be re-energized...
69.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Photocatalytic halogen atom transfer enables general dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes with organic halides and CO<sub>2</sub>.

Communications chemistry·2026
Same author

Geminal Difunctionalization of Ketones via C─S Bond Insertion of Photogenerated Donor-Donor Diazo Compounds.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2026
Same author

Substituent-Controlled Reactivity of DMSO-Derived Methyl and Methanesulfonyl Radicals in the N─H Functionalization of Arylamines.

Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026
Same author

Photocatalytic Vanadium-Mediated Amination of Benzene With Hydroxylamine.

Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026
Same author

"On-water" photosensitization enables redox neutral acylation and alkylation of quinones.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Direct utilization of hydrogen sulfide gas for aryl thiol synthesis <i>via</i> adaptive dynamic homogeneous catalysis in a flow system.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions
07:12

Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions

Published on: July 17, 2020

6.6K

Harnessing Photochemistry in Natural Product Synthesis: From Strategy to Applications.

Elina K Taskinen1, Burkhard König1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.

Journal of Natural Products
|November 6, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Photochemistry offers mild and versatile methods for complex molecule synthesis. This review highlights recent total syntheses (2020-2025) using pivotal photochemical reactions, encouraging their broader application.

More Related Videos

Identification of Small Molecule-binding Proteins in a Native Cellular Environment by Live-cell Photoaffinity Labeling
10:49

Identification of Small Molecule-binding Proteins in a Native Cellular Environment by Live-cell Photoaffinity Labeling

Published on: September 20, 2016

13.2K
Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
10:21

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

Published on: October 5, 2019

8.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions
07:12

Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions

Published on: July 17, 2020

6.6K
Identification of Small Molecule-binding Proteins in a Native Cellular Environment by Live-cell Photoaffinity Labeling
10:49

Identification of Small Molecule-binding Proteins in a Native Cellular Environment by Live-cell Photoaffinity Labeling

Published on: September 20, 2016

13.2K
Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
10:21

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

Published on: October 5, 2019

8.9K

Area of Science:

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Synthetic Chemistry
  • Photochemistry

Background:

  • Photochemistry and total synthesis are historical pillars of organic chemistry.
  • Photochemistry provides mild conditions, versatile transformations, and complementary selectivities.
  • Its application in synthesis is well-established but continually evolving.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent total syntheses (2020-2025) employing photochemistry.
  • To discuss the emergence of photocatalytic methods alongside direct irradiation.
  • To encourage the use of photochemistry in complex molecule synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Highlighting key examples of total syntheses from recent literature.
  • Analyzing the strategic role of photochemical steps in these syntheses.
  • Focusing on both direct irradiation and photocatalytic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Identified numerous complex molecules synthesized using photochemistry.
  • Demonstrated the pivotal role of photochemical reactions in achieving synthetic targets.
  • Showcased the growing importance of photocatalysis in modern synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Photochemistry is a powerful tool for synthesizing complex molecules.
  • Recent advances, particularly in photocatalysis, warrant focused discussion.
  • Strategic insights can guide the application of photochemistry in future syntheses.