Porphyrin

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpɔːfɪɹɪn/

Origin

From German Porphyrin, shortened from Hämatoporphyrin ("haematoporphyrin").

Full definition of porphyrin

Noun

1. (organic chemistry) Any of a class of heterocyclic compounds containing four pyrrole rings arranged in a square; they are important in biochemistry in a form with a metal atom in the central cavity (hemoglobin with iron, chlorophyll with magnesium, etc.).

Related terms

• porphyria
• porphyric