Chiral-phase HPLC separation of (divinyl-)protochlorophyllide-a enantiomers as key precursors in chlorophyll biosynthesis from their 13-stereoisomeric prime forms.

Protochlorophyllide(PChlide)-a and its 8-vinylated analog, divinyl(DV)-PChlide-a, are common and essential intermediates in the biosynthesis of all naturally occurring chlorophyll (Chl) pigments. These porphyrinoid-type pigments have a single optically active (asymmetric) carbon atom at the 13-position, so their stereoisomers are (13R)- and (13S)-enantiomers. The former and latter are called (DV-)PChlide-a and (DV-)PChlide-a', respectively.