# Episode 49: UV–Vis vs LC–MS: Studying Light-Induced Degradation in Phthalocyanines

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography-7157959/episode-49-uv-vis-vs-lc-ms-studying-light-induced-degradation-in-phthalocyanines
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography-7157959/episode-49-uv-vis-vs-lc-ms-studying-light-induced-degradation-in-phthalocyanines.md
Podcast: [Concentrating on Chromatography](https://stenobird.com/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography-7157959)
Published: 2026-02-19T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chromatography/episodes/Episode-49-UVVis-vs-LCMS-Studying-Light-Induced-Degradation-in-Phthalocyanines-e3f3u82
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/fd632380/podcast/play/115521218/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-1-15%2F418124931-44100-2-ac19418a4f53f.m4a
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography-7157959/episodes/episode-49-uv-vis-vs-lc-ms-studying-light-induced-degradation-in-phthalocyanines
Duration seconds: 797

## Resource

Light can heal. Light can power devices. But light can also destroy molecules.In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Kshmeya Chopra to explore how phthalocyanines — highly conjugated macrocycles used in photodynamic therapy, sensing, and organic electronics — respond to prolonged light exposure.Using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Kshmeya and her research team systematically investigated how:• The central metal (Zn²⁺ vs In³⁺)• Degree of fluorination• Axial ligands• Solvent environment (EtOAc vs DMSO)influence photostability under two-sun irradiation conditions.By monitoring changes in the Q-band absorbance over time and calculating extinction coefficients using Beer–Lambert law, the team uncovered clear structure–property relationships governing light-induced degradation.We discuss:🔬 How UV–Vis spectroscopy tracks molecular breakdown🧪 Aggregation vs true chemical degradation☀️ Why fluorination improves photostability⚖️ Zinc vs indium coordination effects📊 Extinction coefficients and what they reveal about macrocycle behavior🧬 How LC–MS and HRMS could identify degradation products🎓 Advice for undergraduate students entering photochemistry and analytical researchThis conversation bridges spectroscopy, materials chemistry, and analytical science — showing how subtle molecular design choices dramatically impact stability and real-world application potential.If you’re interested in photochemistry, UV–Vis analysis, chromatography, or rational molecular design, this episode is for you.🎙️ @ChromatographyTalk explores the intersection of analytical chemistry, instrumentation, and applied molecular science.Subscribe for more conversations on LC-MS, GC-MS, spectroscopy, and chemical problem-solving.#spectroscopy #Photodegradation #Photostability #Phthalocyanin…

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