Abstract
Here we describe the detection and identification of a yellow chlorophyll catabolite (Cj-YCC) in fresh extracts of senescent leaves of Cercidiphyllum japonicum. In addition, we report its partial synthesis by oxidation of Cj-NCC-1, the major (colourless) “nonfluorescent” chlorophyll catabolite (NCC) found in degreened leaves of C. japonicum. The spectroscopic analysis and structural characterization indicated Cj-YCC to be a simple dehydrogenation product of Cj-NCC-1 (by formal removal of a hydrogen atom at the C(20)- and C(1)-positions). Indeed, NCCs are easily oxidized and were first called “rusty pigments”, as they had a tendency to turn brown upon storage on a dry silica gel plate. The yellow tetrapyrroleCj-YCC may thus come about by oxidation of Cj-NCC-1 in the leaves. Its presence in the yellow leaves of a deciduous tree provides the first evidence for the contribution of a coloured chlorophyll catabolite to the fall colours.
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This paper was published as part of the themed issue in honour of Nicholas Turro.
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Moser, S., Ulrich, M., Müller, T. et al. A yellow chlorophyll catabolite is a pigment of the fall colours. Photochem Photobiol Sci 7, 1577–1581 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1039/b813558d
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/b813558d