Degradation of Chlorophyll and Several Derivatives in Acid Solution

The reaction rates of the forward reaction of the acid hydrolysis of chlorophylls a and b to pheophytins a and b and that of several chlorophyllides to their respective pheophorbides were studied at various concentrations by hydrochloric acid and pigment. The rate constants were determined spectrophotometrically at 25, 35, 45, and 55°. The energies of activation (∆Ha) were determined for the chlorophylls and their derivatives from the above data. © 1962, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.