Laser-Induced Crystal Growth and Morphology Control of Benzopinacol Produced from Benzophenone in Ethanol/Water Mixed Solution

Laser-induced precipitation and crystal growth were observed by an irradiation of benzophenone in an ethanol and water mixed solvent. The crystal was composed of benzopinacol produced from excited benzophenone through a benzophenone ketyl radical. Polyhedral, skeletal, and dendrite morphologies of benzopinacol were controlled by laser energy. This is the first example of a photochemical morphology control of a crystal.