“…Thus for the first time a basis was obtained for the view that the chlorophyll molecule also stood in close relation to the porphyrins; a possibility further supported by synthetic studies through conversion of blood pigment porphyrins into chlorins and rhodins (55,17,12). By bacteriological methods (19,20) chlorophyll derivatives were likewise converted into porphyrins, again a confirmation of the relations stated above. From the conversion of chlorophyll and its derivatives into phyllo-, pyrro-, and rhodo-porphyrins the presence of the porphin nucleus could not be inferred, because in view of the brutal methods of treatment involved (alcohólate breakdown at high temperature in a sealed tube) secondary synthesis might be involved; all the more since these porphyrins are poorer in carbon than the starting material.…”