The Photolytic Cleavage of Methylpyridinecobaloxime [Co(CH3)(dmgH)2(py)] as a Mimetic of Vitamin B12

Abstract

The photolytic reactions of the methylpyridinecobaloxime, Co(CH 3)(dmgH) 2 (py) were examined first in benzene and then in a mixture of acetonitrile, hydrogen peroxide and toluene using sunlight and 450 Watts Hanovia UV lamp. While in the first, toluene was produced, the later produced a mixture of products that is o, p, m cresol and benzaldehyde. The photolytic reaction of vitamin B 12 (methylcobalamin) was also examined in benzene and hydrogen peroxide using sunlight. Phenol was produced. All the products formed were separated and characterized by IR and GC-MS. The formation of these products indicates that hydroxyl radicals were generated analogous to Fenton reaction and that both vitamin B 12 (methylcobalamin) and methylpyridinecobaloxime, Co(CH 3)(dmgH) 2 (py) undergoes the same photolytic cleavage of the Co-C bond.