Compare chlorophyll ‘a’ and chlorophyll ‘b’?
Chlorophyll a has a methyl group at the third carbon position of the porphyrin head's II pyrrole ring. Whereas chlorophyll b has an aldehyde group at the third carbon position of the II pyrrole ring or porphyrin head. Chlorophyll a has the greatest absorption at 429 nm (blue) and 660 nm (red) whereas chlorophyll b has the greatest absorption at 453 nm (blue) and 642 nm (red) wavelengths. Chlorophyll a is very soluble in petroleum and ether whereas chlorophyll b is soluble in methyl alcohol. Chlorophyll a is blue-green in color whereas chlorophyll b is yellow-green in color.
