Solar photochemistry from the beginnings of organic photochemistry to the solar production of chemicals

Abstract

[Extract] Green chemistry is a multidisciplinary concept that has emerged over the past two decades, commencing in academia and research and development, which has subsequently impacted greatly on the chemical industry. The growth of interest in green chemistry has been driven in particular by the increasing desire for sustainable developments and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. This has led to increasing interest in environmentally friendly technologies and the adoption of green chemistry approaches in both academia and industry. The use of light as a "clean reagent" has been reported and indicates that light (in particular, solar light) may provide a green access to chemical reactions. These concepts have been examined in academia over the past century; however, they have only recently come to the fore in mainstream applications.