The preparation and characterization of the diaquo- forms of several incomplete corrinoids: cobyric acid, cobinamide, and three isomeric cobinic acid pentaamides.

The preparation of the diaquo- forms of the incomplete corrinoids, cobyric acid, cobinamide, and three isomeric cobinic acid pentaamides, from the corresponding aquocyanocorrinoids has been accomplished. The compounds were characterized by electronic absorption spectra, pka values, and HPLC/TLC behavior. Upon titration, the acids exhibited three pKa values, but only the pKa corresponding to the carboxylic acid involved the transfer of a full equivalent of protons. In addition, the progress of diaquo- to dihydroxo-titration, and the spectrum of the final products indicated a complex process. These diaquocorrinoids appear to be unstable, and should be stored in solution, frozen, under an inert atmosphere.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the (cyanoaquo) stereoisomers of several putative vitamin B12 precursors.

The cyanoaquo and aquocyano stereoisomers of several putative vitamin B12 precursors are reversibly formed and can be separated using analytical high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. The behavior of these stereoisomers varies somewhat depending on the type of column used and the chromatographic conditions employed. Both reversed-phase and ion-exchange columns can be used to observe the reversible formation and separation of the stereoisomers of (H2O,CN)cobyric acid, cobinamide and the cobinic acid pentaamide-1, -2 and -3 structural isomers. The greatest differences in retention times are seen when the pH of the eluting buffer is less than 4.0 and the buffer contains no KCN.