Trans–cis photoisomerization is a fundamental photochemical reaction that is thought to proceed through an intermediate with a perpendicular conformation. However, unambiguous identification of this state has proved challenging. The combination of state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations now provides evidence for its structural observation in stilbene photoisomerization.
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References
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This is a summary of: Kuramochi, H. et al. Ultrafast Raman observation of the perpendicular intermediate phantom state of stilbene photoisomerization. Nat. Chem. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01397-6 (2024).
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Perpendicular state of stilbene unveiled with ultrafast Raman spectroscopy. Nat. Chem. 16, 308–309 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01398-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01398-5
