Schunck . — The Chemistry of Chlorophyll. 69 
In a memoir on chlorophyll by M. Arm. Gautier 1 , the author 
describes a method of preparing pure chlorophyll depending 
on the use of neutral solvents, such as alcohol and ether, along 
with animal charcoal. The substance was obtained in distinct 
crystals of an intense green colour, the properties of which, as 
described by M. Gautier, are such as would probably belong 
to pure chlorophyll. Referring, however, to the chlorophyl- 
lan of Hoppe-Seyler, the discovery of which had been an- 
nounced a short time previously, the author arrives at the 
conclusion that it is identical with his crystallised chlorophyll. 
If so, the latter must have been, as Hoppe-Seyler’s chloro- 
phyllan is acknowleged to be, a derivative of chlorophyll, not 
the pure colouring matter itself. 
Hansen 2 , following Gautier’s directions, did not succeed in 
obtaining the product described by the latter, and therefore 
devised a new process for preparing the colouring matter. 
The essential part of his process consists in the treatment 
of the residue left on evaporation of an alcoholic extract of 
young wheat-leaves with boiling caustic soda lye. By this 
means the fat accompanying the chlorophyll is saponified, 
and the mixture of soap with other substances having been 
extracted with petroleum ether in order to remove a yellow 
colouring matter, then with ordinary ether, is lastly treated 
with a mixture of alcohol and ether, which dissolves the green 
colouring matter. The latter is left on evaporation of the 
solvent in the shape of sphaero-crystals of a dark green 
colour, the general properties of which are described by the 
author. The interesting memoir of Hansen forms a valuable 
contribution to the chemistry of chlorophyll. I am unable, 
however, to accept the author’s conclusions without reserve. 
The product obtained by him, to which he gives the name 
of c chlorophyll-green,’ is easily soluble in water, and differs 
therefore essentially from ordinary chlorophyll, which is in- 
soluble in water, though in most other respects it agrees with 
the latter. 
1 Comptes Rendus, LXXXIX. 86 1 . 
2 Arbeiten d. Bot. Instituts in Wurzburg, III. 123, 430. 
