Small alterations in cobinamide structure considerably influence sGC activation.

Specially designed B-ring-modified cobalamin derivatives were synthesized and tested as potential activators of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). Herein, we disclose the influence of substituents at the c- and d-positions in hydrophilic and hydrophobic cobyrinic acid derivatives on their capacities to activate sGC. The presence of the amide group at c-/d-position in cobyrinic acid derivatives strongly influence the level of sGC activation.

Cobryketone derived from vitamin B12 via palladium-catalyzed cleavage of the sp3-sp3 carbon-carbon bond.

Heptamethyl cobyrinate was transformed into hexamethyl 8-nor-cobyrinate. The crucial step involved the synthesis of new, vitamin B12 derived cobryketone via palladium-catalyzed cleavage of the sp(3)-sp(3) carbon-carbon bond with the liberation of the ketone. The replacement of sp(3) carbon atom with sp(2) (C═O) at the 8-position produces a bathochromic shift of all absorption bands and makes α and β bands equal as a consequence of the expansion of the existing conjugated system of double bonds.

New hydrophobic vitamin B12 derivatives via ring-opening reactions of c-lactone.

A selective synthesis of new hydrophobic cobalamin derivatives bearing two different spacers has been accomplished via ring-opening reaction of c-lactone. The reaction of c-lactone with various amines afforded three types of amides (a, b, and c) depending on the reaction conditions. The structure of lactone b was determined by the X-ray analysis confirming the position of ring closure.