What is the Difference Between Auxochrome and Chromophore?

The main difference between an auxochrome and a chromophore lies in their functions within a molecule:

• Auxochrome: An auxochrome is a functional group of atoms attached to a chromophore, which modifies the ability of the chromophore to absorb light. It alters the wavelength or intensity of the absorption, effectively increasing the color appearance of the chromophore. The term "auxochrome" comes from the Greek word "auxochromes," meaning "to increase the color".
• Chromophore: A chromophore is a molecular moiety that gives the color to the molecule. It is the part of the molecule that absorbs visible light to reflect a certain color. When light hits the chromophore, it undergoes excitation, and when it returns to the ground state, it reflects a color.

In summary, an auxochrome is a group of atoms that modifies the chromophore's ability to absorb light and increase its color appearance, while a chromophore is the part of the molecule responsible for absorbing visible light and reflecting a specific color.

Comparative Table: Auxochrome vs Chromophore

The main difference between auxochrome and chromophore lies in their role in producing color in molecules. Here is a table summarizing the differences between auxiliary groups and chromophores:

Some examples of auxochrome groups include hydroxyl (-OH), amine (-NH2), and aldehyde (-CHO) groups. Chromophores, on the other hand, areatomic configurations with the presence of delocalized electrons, usually represented by nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and sulfur, which typically have single or double bonds.