Resumen de Photochemical Reaction Made Simpler for Undergraduate Laboratory
Mahaveer Genwa, Jyoti Singh, Alka Rani, Kushagra Yadav, Chetna Angrish
Photochemical reactions are initiated by the absorption of light, triggering the chemical reactions and resulting in the formation of products. These reactions are generally performed using a freely available renewable source of energy─solar energy. Solar simulators mimic both the ultraviolet and visible regions of sunlight and hence can serve as an alternative in cases where/when there is no ample sunlight. These are cost-effective and easily available. To enrich young and interested students with tangible scientific things, a fillip in the form of the designed experiment is given. In the present designed experiment, we have created the conditions to carry out photochemical reactions in an undergraduate laboratory with simple requirements. For the demonstration of it, a model reaction─conversion of benzophenone to benzopinacol─is selected. Conventionally, this photochemical reaction is conducted using sunlight, and it takes 5 days for near completion. To make it viable at the undergraduate level, a photochemical unit is set up with simple requirements which can be procured at nominal costs (approximately $20–30). With this activity, the undergraduate students also get exposure to photochemical reactions in the laboratory.
