Chemical Methylation of Inorganic Mercury with Methylcobalamin, a Vitamin B ₁₂ Analog

Abstract

Chemical methylation of mercuric chloride with methylcobalamin has been studied. Methylated mercury was detected by gas chromatography; and analysis of the products of the reaction by thin-layer chromatography revealed that the methylation proceeded at a remarkably high rate when methylcobalamin and inorganic mercury were mixed. Dimethylmercury was an initial product of the reaction.