The chlorophyll pigment is readily soluble in:-a)Waterb)Acidsc)Alkalie...
The chlorophyll pigment is readily soluble in acetone. Chlorophylls possess a phytyl chain which is bound to a porphyrin ring system. The possession of the phytyl side chain, which is esterified to the carboxyl group of the ring, gives the chlorophylls their lipid character. Moreover, chlorophylls are fat-soluble compounds that can be extracted from water-containing living plant tissue by organic solvents such as acetone, methanol, or ethanol, which can take up water.
The chlorophyll pigment is readily soluble in:-a)Waterb)Acidsc)Alkalie...
Chlorophyll Pigment Solubility
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. It plays a vital role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Chlorophyll pigment is insoluble in water, acids, and alkalies but readily soluble in acetone.
Why is Chlorophyll Pigment Soluble in Acetone?
Chlorophyll pigment is a hydrophobic molecule, meaning it repels water and does not dissolve in it. Acetone, on the other hand, is a polar solvent that can dissolve hydrophobic molecules. This property of acetone makes it an effective solvent for chlorophyll pigment.
Other Solvents that can Dissolve Chlorophyll Pigment
Apart from acetone, other solvents that can dissolve chlorophyll pigment include ethanol, methanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). However, acetone is the most commonly used solvent for extracting chlorophyll pigment due to its high solubility and low toxicity.
Applications
The solubility of chlorophyll pigment in acetone has several applications in the field of biology and chemistry. Some of these applications are:
- Extraction of chlorophyll from plant tissues for analysis
- Separation of chlorophyll from other pigments in a mixture
- Identification of unknown compounds that absorb light in the visible spectrum
In conclusion, chlorophyll pigment is insoluble in water, acids, and alkalies but readily soluble in acetone. The solubility of chlorophyll pigment in acetone has several applications in the field of biology and chemistry.