Photochemistry, encompassing photophysics, studies the interaction of light with matter at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biology. It is not only a modern scientific discipline but also a crucial natural phenomenon. From the moment of creation, as described in the biblical phrase “Let there be light,” photochemistry has played a vital role in shaping the world. It likely sparked the origin of life on Earth and has been fundamental to evolutionary processes. Through photosynthesis in green plants, photochemistry sustains all living organisms. Historically, it has contributed to the formation of coal, oil, and natural gas deposits that we utilize as fuels. Additionally, photochemistry is essential for ozone control in the stratosphere and influences numerous environmental processes in the atmosphere, oceans, and soil. It is also central to vision and triggers various behavioral responses in living organisms. As a scientific field, photochemistry is relatively young, with its early pioneers emerging less than a century ago. The concept of coordination compounds, introduced by Alfred Werner in 1892, has evolved over time, with coordination chemistry expanding to include diverse substrate binding beyond metal complexes.
