Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Synthesis

Chemistry In Pictures

Chemistry in Pictures: Mirror ball

by Manny Morone
November 8, 2018

 

A hand holding a round-bottom flask with a shiny copper-colored coating that is reflecting the image of the scientist holding the flask in a lab.
Credit: Tridib Sarma

In solution, this dye was green, but when Tridib Sarma evaporated off the solvent, the compound coated his round-bottom flask and revealed a copperlike luster, giving us a view of him and his laboratory. This polypyrrole dye has a highly conjugated network of overlapping π orbitals, which allows the molecules to strongly interact with light, giving rise to this strong color. Sarma, a postdoc at Shanghai University, analyzes the interactions between light and compounds like this one for potential use in organic electronics, artificial photosynthesis, and photodynamic cancer therapy—in which dyes and light are used to kill cancer cells.

Submitted by Tridib Sarma

Do science. Take pictures. Win money. Enter our photo contest here.

Related C&EN Content:

Light-Triggered Chemotherapy

Photoswitchable drugs could light the way to more targeted treatments

Video: Meet the Janelia chemist crafting glowing molecular tools for neuroscientists

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.