1914] Clarence J. West 247 



hydroxide, heating to boiling half a minute and cooling quickly. 

 In Order to separate the phytochlorine from the phytorhodine, the 

 phytol is first extracted with ether; the product is then covered 

 with ether and acidified with 20 percent hydrochloric acid, which 

 causes the basic portion to go into the ether layer. The ether is 

 then shaken eight times with i hter of 3 percent hydrochloric acid 

 in Order to extract the phytochlorine, neutralized with ammonia and 

 taken up in ether. The last trace of phytochlorine is removed 

 from the ether by shaking with 5 percent acid. Phytorhodine is 

 extracted by shaking with 9 percent acid. 



As may be seen from the table (page 241), isochlorophylline a, 

 obtained by the saponification of Chlorophyll and the chlorophyllides 

 with hot alkali, is the magnesium-containing derivative that corre- 

 sponds to phytochlorine e, and upon acidification gives phytochlorine 

 ^ in a high state of purity. This method of preparation is not con- 

 venient, however, because the preparation of isochlorophylline is 

 difficult, and unless it is saponified under exact conditions, less basic 

 products result. The reaction may be carried out by allowing 

 barium hydroxide to react with a crude-chlorophyll sol. and then 

 acidifying the barium salt.^'^ 



In the same way phytochlorine / and g result from chlorophyl- 

 line. From the formulas given above for the chlorophyllines, we 

 may write the following for phytochlorine e, 



C31H31N3 (NH CO) COOK COOH, 

 B y ß a 



and for phytochlorine / and g, 



C31H31N3 (NH CO) COOH COOH. 

 Baß y 



Phytochlorine e exists in two modifications, a lactam hydrate of 

 the formula, C34H36O6N4: thick leaflets with a violet luster; and as 

 the lactam of the formula, C34H34O5N4 : rectangular tables. Both 

 forms give brownish black powders. The hydrate form is stable 

 when dried, while the anhydrous form gradually changes. They 

 have different solubilities. The Solution in conc. sulfuric acid is 



27 Willstätter and Utzinger: Ann. d. Cheni., 382, 162 (1911). 



