photorearrangement
Quick Summary
A photorearrangement is a type of photochemical reaction where a molecule's structure is altered upon absorbing light energy. This process leads to the formation of a new chemical species.
A key example is the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to vitamin D in the skin when exposed to UV light from the sun. This photorearrangement is crucial for bone health, as a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to rickets. The process involves the elimination of a carbon-hydrogen bond and the formation of a new bond with the same hydrogen atom, resulting in the creation of vitamin D3.12
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