ON THE PHOTODECOMPOSITION OF CHLOROPHYLL <i>IN VITRO‐II.</i> INTERMEDIATES AND BREAKDOWN PRODUCTS*

Abstract

Abstract— The bleaching of chlorophyll solutions by light in the presence of oxygen can be interrupted, and red intermediates can be precipitated by the use of highly nonpolar solvents in appropriate solvent mixtures. The precipitates are more highly oxygenated but retain phytol and a N‐Mg ratio of 4:1. The NMR spectra indicate that the methine bridge and vinyl protons have been lost. Methyl ethyl maleimide is a product of chromic acid oxidation of the red precipitates. It is also found in the supernatant solution and in the fully bleached end product.