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IUPAC name
Chlorophyll a
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Systematic IUPAC name
Magnesium [methyl (3S,4S,21R)-14-ethyl-4,8,13,18-tetramethyl-20-oxo-3-(3-oxo-3-{[(2E,7R,11R)-3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-yl]oxy}propyl)-9-vinyl-21-phorbinecarboxylatato(2−)-κ2N,N′] | |
Other names
α-Chlorophyll
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.852 |
EC Number |
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PubChem CID
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RTECS number |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C55H72MgN4O5 | |
Molar mass | 893.509 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Green |
Odor | Odorless |
Density | 1.079 g/cm3[1] |
Melting point | ~ 152.3 °C (306.1 °F; 425.4 K)[2] decomposes[1] |
Insoluble | |
Solubility | Very soluble in ethanol, ether Soluble in ligroin,[2] acetone, benzene, chloroform[1] |
Absorbance | See text |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Chlorophyll a is a specific form of chlorophyll used in oxygenic photosynthesis. It absorbs most energy from wavelengths of violet-blue and orange-red light, and it is a poor absorber of green and near-green portions of the spectrum.[3] Chlorophyll does not reflect light but chlorophyll-containing tissues appear green because green light is diffusively reflected by structures like cell walls.[4] This photosynthetic pigment is essential for photosynthesis in eukaryotes, cyanobacteria and prochlorophytes because of its role as primary electron donor in the electron transport chain.[5] Chlorophyll a also transfers resonance energy in the antenna complex, ending in the reaction center where specific chlorophylls P680 and P700 are located.[6]