In organic chemistry, a chlorin is a large heterocyclicaromatic ring consisting, at the core, of 3 pyrroles and one reduced pyrrole coupled through 4 methine linkages. Unlike a porphyrin, a chlorin is therefore largely aromatic but not aromatic through the entire circumference of the ring.
Magnesium-containing chlorins are called chlorophylls, and are the central photosensitive pigment in chloroplasts. A related compound, with 2 reduced pyrroles, is called a bacteriochlorin.
Because of their photosensitivity, chlorins are in active use as photosensitizing agents in experimental lasercancer therapies.
Chlorinegas, also known as bertholite, was first used as a weapon against human beings in WWI on April 22nd, 1915, and afterwards was used by both sides.
In nature chlorine is found mainly as the chloride ion, a component of the salt that is deposited in the earth or dissolved in the oceans—about 1.9% of the mass of seawater is chloride ions.
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