Chlorin
In organic chemistry, a chlorin is a tetrapyrrole. Chlorins are partially hydrogenated versions of porphyrins. The parent chlorin is a rare compound, but substituted chlorins are common. Magnesium-containing chlorins are called chlorophylls. Chlorophylls are the photosensitive pigment in chloroplasts.
Related to chlorins are bacteriochlorins and isobacteriochlorins. They are found as the core of some bacteriochlorophylls. These tetrapyrroles are further reduced relative to chlorins.
, chlorin, bacteriochlorin, and isobacteriochlorin.
Because of their photosensitivity, chlorins are in active use as photosensitizing agents in experimental photodynamic therapy.
