- Auxochrome
Auxochrome - this is a group of atoms attached to a
chromophore which modifies the ability of that chromophore to absorblight . Example: -OH , -NH2 ,Aldehydes .An auxochrome is a functional group of atoms with nonbonded electrons which, when attached to a chromophore, alters both the wavelength and intensity of absorption. If these groups are in direct conjugation with the pi-system of the chromophore, they may increase the wavelength at which the light is absorbed and as a result intensify the absorption. A feature of these auxochromes is the presence of at least one lone pair of electrons which can be viewed as extending the conjugated system by resonance.
It increases the color of any organic compound. For example, Benzene cant develop color as it doesnt have any chromophore but Nitro benzene is pale yellow color because of the presence of nitro compound. But when it is para-hydroxynitro benzene, the color is deep yellow. Here an auxochrome (-OH) is conjugated with the chromophore -NO2. This is why the color is more developed. Same case happens in Azo benzene (Red color)but para-hydroxy azobenzene is dark red color.
There are mainly two types of auxochromes-
1. Acidic -COOH, -OH, -SO3H2. Basic -NHR, -NR2, -NH2
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