Abstract
Daniel Berthelot (1865-1927) used ultraviolet radiation from the mercury vapor lamp to carry out a series of oxidation and polymerization reactions, and proved that many reactions carried on by electrolysis could also be performed by photolysis. In doing so he discovered a myriad of unknown phenomena. By exposing to the action of UV a mixture of water and carbon dioxide, he achieved the synthesis of formic acid which then condensed and polymerized to produce vegetable sugars. A mixture of CO2 and NH3 gave rise to the simplest of the quaternary compounds, formamide, which represents the starting point for albuminous or proteinic substances, the basis of living matter.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 314-323 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Educacion Quimica |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2010 |
Keywords
- Actinometer
- Photochemistry
- Photolysis
- Synthesis of chemicals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Education