Hydrogenobyrinic Acid: Isolation, Biosynthesis, and Function

Abstract

The cobalt-free analogue of the vitamin- B12 parent substance cobyrinic acid 2, the hydrogenobyrinic acid 1, has been made available by a biosynthetic method. This opens up new possibilities for studies on the biosynthesis of 1 and 2 as well as on their chemistry. The first investigations on the biosynthesis and function of 1 are reported; and a complete assignment of the 1H- and 13C-NMR signals of 1 is given.