Involved in the biosynthesis of bacteriochlorophyll e (BChl e). Catalyzes two consecutive hydroxylation reactions of the C-7 methyl group of bacteriochlorophyllide c (BChlide c) to form a geminal diol intermediate that spontaneously dehydrates to produce the formyl group of bacteriochlorophyllide e (BChlide e) (PubMed:23560066, PubMed:27994052). Also able to catalyze the same reaction for bacteriochlorophyllide d (BChlide d) to give rise to bacteriochlorophyllide f (BChlide f) (PubMed:27994052). a bacteriochlorophyllide c + H2O + 2 S-adenosyl-L-methionine = 2 5'-deoxyadenosine + a bacteriochlorophyllide e + 2 H(+) + 2 L-methionine a bacteriochlorophyllide d + H2O + 2 S-adenosyl-L-methionine = 2 5'-deoxyadenosine + a bacteriochlorophyllide f + 2 H(+) + 2 L-methionine Binds 1 [4Fe-4S] cluster. Porphyrin-containing compound metabolism; bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis. Cells lacking this gene are unable to produce bacteriochlorophyll e (BChl e), accumulate bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) and are green in color instead of the characteristic brownish color (PubMed:23560066, PubMed:27994052). The mutant also has a novel homolog containing a triple 8-methylated neopentyl substituent at the 8-position (PubMed:24496988). Belongs to the radical SAM superfamily.