Some Major Steps in the Understanding of the Chemistry and Biochemistry of Chl - Chlorophyll Biosynthesis and Technological Applications - page 3

a common origin of plant and animal life and that comparison of similar compounds
of flora and fauna provides insight into chemical and organismal evolution

(Nencki 1896 ).

1.1.8 Twsett, 1906

1906 Twsett separated blue Chl (i.e. Chl a ) from yellow Chl ( i.e. Chl b ) using
column chromatography, and called them chlorophylls alpha and beta , which later
became chlorophylls a and b (Tswett 1906 ).

1.1.9 Willstatter and Hocheder, 1907

In 1907, Willstatter and Hocheder discovered and named pheophytin (Chl that has
lost the central Mg atom) (Willstatter and Asahina 1909 ). More recently this
important molecule has been implicated in photosynthetic electron transport in
Photosystem II.

1.1.10 Willstatter and Fritzsche, 1909

In 1909, Willstatter and Fritzsche applied alkaline degradation to the study of the
chemical structure of Chl.

1.1.11 Willstatter and Ashina, 1909

In 1909, Willstatter and Asahina applied chromic acid oxidation to the study of the
chemical structure of Chl (Willstatter and Asahina 1909 ). This technique was used
later on by Shemin to determine the structure of Protoporphyrin IX.

1.1.12 Willstatter and Stoll, 1910

In1910, Willstatter and Stoll discovered and named chlorophyllide (Chl without
esterification with phytol at position 7 of the macrocycle), pheophorbide (chlorop-
hyllide without the central Mg-atom), and chlorophyllase (the enzyme that
de-esterifies Chl) (Willsttater and Stoll 1910 ).