The Colours of Life: Introduction to the Chemistry of Porphyrins and Related Compounds - Tapa dura

Why are leaves green and blood red? The answer lies with one family of pigments, the porphyrins and their relatives. These pigments are also responsible for the fundamental energetic processes that make life as we know it possible. This text provides an introduction to porphyrins and their role. The properties of these colourful molecules are now being investigated for use in a wide range of applications, from cancer therapy to microelectronics.