THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 41 



On trcatin.Q' chlorophyll with alcoholic KOH on the water hath, it 

 takes on a heautiful fluorescence. At 140° C, a crystallizahle com- 

 pound is formed. At 200°, it changes into another compound which 

 is red and which is termed R'hodophyllin. All of these still contain 

 Mg. They show marked properties as to crystallization and soluhil- 

 ity. To ohtain Rhodophyllin in pure state, it was necessary to use 

 bomb tubes. In the ash of the compound thus prepared, Willstatter 

 found to his surprise zinc oxide. Upon investigation this was found 

 to come from the glass. It had replaced the Mg in the molecule. 

 This shows how easily the Mg can be replaced. Further experiments 

 were carried out in a silver cup enclosed in an autoclave. Addition 

 of water precipitated the Rhodophyllin, which is purified by NH^OH 

 extraction of ethereal solution. Upon analysis it was found to be 

 CaaHs^N^O^Mg. The present accepted formula for Haemin is 

 Cp.^Ha^N^O^FeCl. The difference of the one catom in such a large 

 molecule may be overlooked and Willstatter believes that the Rhodo- 

 phyllin is very closely related to Haemin, and surely possesses the 

 same nucleus. 



Another chlorophylline, which was called Phyllopophyrine showed 

 the formula Ca2H3g02N4, which corresponds to Haematoporphyrin, a 

 derivative, of our blood coloring matter, CgoHgeOeN^. They differ 

 only by the O4. Both substances must have the same nucleus, for on re- 

 duction each one forms Di-methyl-ethyl pyrrol CH-^.C — C.CoH. 



CH3.C CH 

 NH 



These facts point to a genetic relationship of the two substances, 



Haemoglobin and Chlorophyll, although their physiologic functions 



are entirely different. Chlorophyll contains magnesium, Haematin 



contains Fe ; these metals undoubtedly exercise a catalytic action and 



the assimilation of CO2 is a function of the basic metal Mg. Plant 



life is mainly synthetic; carbohydrates, fats and albumens are built up 



of the simplest inorganic substances. Animal life needs iron to carry 



on its analytic functions by oxidation and Fe acts as the oxygen 



carrier. 



( To be Continued ) 



