ABSTRACT
The rates of chromium nucleotide isomer interconversion were studied as a function of pH, ionic strength, and temperature. Nucleotide isomers were separated using high voltage electrophoresis and gel filtration chromatography. The rate of conversion of monodentate adenosine 5'-monophosphate-chromium salt (CrADP) to the bidentate complex increased with increasing pH, temperature, and ionic strength. Optimal stability for CrADP complexes was found to be at pH 3.5 with a temperature of 4 degrees C. It was found that at pH values above 7.0, the chromium complexes rapidly decomposed even at 4 degrees C. It was found that the conversion of monodentate CrADP to binentate CrADP required the removal of one proton by the solvent. The activation energy for the conversion was found to be 7.3 kcal/mol at pH 6.5. The kinetics of the isomer interconversion are described in terms of possible conversion mechanisms.