Mechanism of action of the vitamin B12-dependent enzyme dioldehydrase: refinement of a model system involving photodecomposition of dihydroxyalkylcobaloximes

Abstract

Anaerobic photolysis of the following cobaloximes in 0.1 _M acetic acid gives the carbonyl-containing products(s) in parentheses: 3,4-dihydroxybutyl(pyridine)-cobaloxime (none), 4,5-dihydroxypentyl(aquo)cobaloxime (10% pentanal), 5,6-dihydroxyhexyl(pyridine)cocobaloxime (16% hexan-2-one +ca. 4% hexanal); these findings strengthen a model system proposed for the vitamin ₁₂-dependent enzyme dioldehydrase.