Similarly,
Isochlorophyllin a, becomes Phytochlorin e, Chlorophyllin a, becomes Phytochlorin f, and g,
Isochlorophyllin b, becomes Phytorhodin g Chlorophyllin b, becomes Phytorhodin i and k,
And bodies known as "porphyrins" are similarly derived from all the other known phyllins.
For example: cyanophyllin, MgC31H32N4(COOH)2, becomes cyanoporphyrin, C31H34N4(COOH)2; ætiophyllin, MgC31H34N4, becomes ætioporphyrin, C31H36N4, etc.
Phytochlorin e and phytorhodin g are the chief products of the decomposition by acids of the chlorophylls. Indeed, it was the production of these compounds which led to the discovery of the existence of the two chlorophylls. When treated with alkalies, they lose their carboxyl groups and become ætioporphyrin.
Decomposition of the Chlorophylls by Oxidation and Reduction.—When acted upon by oxidizing agents, such as chromic acid, the porphyrins yield two chief oxidation products, which are pyrrole derivatives having the following formulas,