Practice question

Photon energy inversely proportional to wavelength, so shorter wavelength means higher energy. In carbonyls, amides and heteroaromatics, forbidden n→π* transition promotes lone pair electron to antibonding π* orbital, requiring relatively low energy and appearing at longer wavelengths around 270-300 nm, beyond 210 nm threshold. Therefore energy associated with 210 nm photon exceeds that needed for n→π*, placing n→π* on low-energy side of spectrum, distinct from high-energy σ→σ* below 150 nm. Understanding this ordering helps assign absorption bands, predict solvent effects and rationalize photochemical reactivity of biological carbonyl compounds.