The cleavage of one or more covalent bonds in a molecular entity resulting from absorption of light, or a photochemical process in which such cleavage is an essential part. For example:
Cl2 ![[arrow]](/img3/P_files/ARROW.gif){kind=icon}
2 Cl.
The term is used incorrectly to describe irradiation of a sample, although in the combination flash photolysis this usage is accepted. IUPAC PHOTOCHEMICAL GLOSSARY (1992).
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