Can We Harness Light Like Nature for a New Era of Green Chemistry? (phys.org)
(Saturday August 16, 2025 @11:34PM (EditorDavid)
from the taking-a-photosynthesis dept.)
- Reference: 0178707556
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/08/17/0011242/can-we-harness-light-like-nature-for-a-new-era-of-green-chemistry
- Source link: https://phys.org/news/2025-08-harness-nature-era-green-chemistry.html
Sunlight becomes energy when plants convert four photons of light. But unfortunately, most attempts at synthetic light-absorbing chemicals can only absorb one photon at a time, [1]write two researchers from the University of Melbourne . "In the Polyzos research group at the School of Chemistry, we have [2]developed a new class of photocatalysts that, like plants, can absorb energy from multiple photons."
> This breakthrough allows us to harness light energy more effectively, driving challenging and energy-demanding chemical reactions.
>
> We have applied this technology to generate carbanions — negatively charged carbon atoms that serve as crucial building blocks in the creation, or synthesis, of carbon- and hydrogen-rich chemicals known as organic chemicals. Carbanions are vital in making drugs, polymers and many other important materials. However, traditional methods to produce carbanions often require lots of energy and dangerous reagents, and generate significant chemical waste, posing environmental and safety challenges... Our [3]new method offers a greener, safer alternative [using visible light and renewable starting materials]...
>
> We've used it to synthesize important drug molecules, including antihistamines, in a single step using simple, cheap and commonly available "commodity chemicals" — amines and alkenes. And importantly, the reaction scales well in commercial-scale continuous flow reactors, highlighting its potential for industrial applications.
"By learning from the subtle mastery of photosynthesis," the researchers write, their group "is forging a new paradigm for chemical manufacturing — one where sunlight powers sustainable and elegant solutions for the molecules that shape our world."
[1] https://phys.org/news/2025-08-harness-nature-era-green-chemistry.html
[2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-024-01237-x
[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-024-01237-x
> This breakthrough allows us to harness light energy more effectively, driving challenging and energy-demanding chemical reactions.
>
> We have applied this technology to generate carbanions — negatively charged carbon atoms that serve as crucial building blocks in the creation, or synthesis, of carbon- and hydrogen-rich chemicals known as organic chemicals. Carbanions are vital in making drugs, polymers and many other important materials. However, traditional methods to produce carbanions often require lots of energy and dangerous reagents, and generate significant chemical waste, posing environmental and safety challenges... Our [3]new method offers a greener, safer alternative [using visible light and renewable starting materials]...
>
> We've used it to synthesize important drug molecules, including antihistamines, in a single step using simple, cheap and commonly available "commodity chemicals" — amines and alkenes. And importantly, the reaction scales well in commercial-scale continuous flow reactors, highlighting its potential for industrial applications.
"By learning from the subtle mastery of photosynthesis," the researchers write, their group "is forging a new paradigm for chemical manufacturing — one where sunlight powers sustainable and elegant solutions for the molecules that shape our world."
[1] https://phys.org/news/2025-08-harness-nature-era-green-chemistry.html
[2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-024-01237-x
[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-024-01237-x
That first sentence hurts my brain (Score:2)
by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 )
> Sunlight becomes energy when plants convert four photons of light.
Whomever wrote that should be shot... from a cannon into the sun.
Go Ahead (Score:2)
I can make at least 40 Udemy Courses personally to enlighten others.
Re: (Score:2)
Photosynthesis in one of the most deeply amazing processes in the known universe, verging on magical. Plants just know a whole lot more about quantum mechanics than we do. If we do ever catch up with the plants then we will be looking at niceties like 90% efficient solar panels, among other things.