Chromophore
Chromophore
A Chromophore (/ˈkroʊməfɔːr/; from Greek: χρῶμα, chroma "color" and φέρειν, pherein "to bear"; literally "color bearer") is a molecule or part of a molecule responsible for its color. The color arises when a molecule absorbs certain wavelengths of visible light and transmits or reflects others. The chromophore is a region in the molecule where the energy difference between two different molecular orbitals falls within the range of the visible spectrum.
Etymology
The term chromophore was coined by the German chemist Wilhelm Ostwald in 1876. It is derived from the Greek words "chroma" meaning color, and "pherein" meaning to bear or carry. Thus, chromophore literally translates to "color bearer".
Related Terms
- Absorption spectrum: The absorption spectrum of a chemical substance or a physical body is the range of the electromagnetic spectrum that it absorbs. This is closely related to the color of the substance or body.
- Fluorophore: A fluorophore is a fluorescent chromophore, a component of a molecule that makes it fluorescent.
- Auxochrome: An auxochrome is a functional group of atoms attached to the chromophore which modifies the ability of the chromophore to absorb light, altering the wavelength or intensity of the absorption.
- Colorant: A colorant is a substance that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This is usually achieved by the use of a chromophore.
- Pigment: A pigment is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which a material emits light.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chromophore
- Wikipedia's article - Chromophore
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