Fotoquímicos

Fotoquímicos are chemical substances that undergo photochemical reactions. These are reactions initiated by the absorption of light. When a fotoquímico absorbs photons, its electrons get excited to higher energy levels, making it more reactive. This altered state can lead to a variety of transformations, including the breaking of chemical bonds, the formation of new bonds, or isomerization.

Many natural and artificial processes involve fotoquímicos. Photosynthesis in plants is a prime example, where chlorophyll absorbs light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The degradation of certain plastics and dyes when exposed to sunlight is another common occurrence attributed to the photochemical activity of their constituent molecules. In industry, photoinitiators are used in UV curing processes for inks, coatings, and adhesives, where light triggers rapid polymerization. Photodynamic therapy in medicine utilizes photosensitizing drugs, which are fotoquímicos that generate reactive oxygen species upon light activation, selectively destroying diseased cells. The study of fotoquímicos is a significant area within photochemistry, exploring their properties, reactions, and applications across various scientific and technological fields.