The chlorite adduct of aquacobalamin: contrast with chlorite dismutase.

In the reaction of aquacobalamin (aquaCbl) with chlorite, a stable species is detected and assigned as a Co(III)-chlorite complex, Co(III)-OClO. Its UV-Vis spectrum is almost identical to that of aquaCbl, except for some minor differences at ~ 430 nm; cyanide can eliminate and prevent these changes. The H-NMR spectra reveal strong influences of chlorite on the B2 and B4 protons of the cobalt-bound dimethyl benzimidazole ligand.