Synthesize

February 1, 2020

Dr. Bugarin, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, approached me to create a cover illustration for an article in the Journal of Organic Chemistry on the photoinduced synthesis of anilides.

The research itself is fascinating. Dr. Bugarin’s team developed a metal-free, one-step photochemical approach to synthesize anilides using π-conjugated triazenes. The method combines aryl–aryl cross-coupling and amide bond formation in a single, mild reaction, yielding products in excellent efficiency—even using natural sunlight at room temperature. Their approach successfully produced important molecules like an immunosuppressant and acetaminophen, demonstrating the practical potential of this methodology.

My challenge was to translate this elegant chemistry into a single, visually compelling image for the journal cover. The illustration needed to convey the core concepts—the light-driven reaction, the simplicity and efficiency of the method, and the production of biologically and commercially relevant anilides—while remaining eye-catching and accessible to readers.

It’s always exciting to see complex chemical reactions distilled into a single image that tells the story at a glance, helping readers immediately grasp both the science and its significance.