noun
definition
That part of the molecule of a dye responsible for its colour
definition
(more generally) the group of atoms in a molecule in which the electronic transition responsible for a given spectral band is located
Examples of chromophore in a Sentence
Baeyer has suggested that the nine carbon atom system of xanthone may act as a chromophore.
The most significant chromophore for proteins is the amide group of the polypeptide backbone.
Its molecule contains an extended system of delocalised electrons called a chromophore.
Binding occurred in a similar location to the natural chromophore, but with a distinct orientation.
The energy from the light source is absorbed by the target chromophore (melanin) in the hair.
The fluorescence lifetime of the injected in vivo chromophore strongly depends on the content of water in different areas.
The similarity of action spectra for thymine dimers in human epidermis and erythema suggests that DNA is the chromophore for erythema.
On the chromophoreauxochrome theory (the nitro group being the chromophore, and the hydroxyl the auxochrome) it is necessary in order to explain the high colour of the metallic salts and the colourless alkyl and aryl derivatives to assume that the auxochromic action of the hydroxyl group is only brought strongly into evidence by salt formation.
On this theory colour is regarded as due to the presence of a " chromophore," and dyeing power to an " auxochrome "; the latter by itself cannot produce colour or dyeing power, but it is only active in the presence of a chromophore, when it intensifies the colour and confers the property of dyeing.
Also the relative position of the auxochrome to the chromophore influences colour, the ortho-position being generally the most powerful.