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Time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of photoreduced base-off Cob(II)alamin compared to the Co(II) species in Clostridium thermoaceticum

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp943066n· OSTI ID:226746
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  1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva Univ., Bronx, NY (United States)

We have made significant improvements in pump-probe time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy that enable us to structurally describe chemical intermediates with short lifetimes. We demonstrate that X-ray pre-edge data for a 1 mM compound can be acquired with a high signal-to-noise ratio by time-resolved discrimination of fluorescent signals from a 13-element germanium detector. With the utilization of this novel time-multiplexed laser photolysis system coupled to a flow cell, we characterized the structure of the initial photoproduct of five-coordinate base-off Co(III) methylcobalamin. The X-ray pre-edge spectra of five- and six-coordinate species have a strong 1s-3d transition at about 10 eV below the edge. In four-coordinate, square-planar species the 1s-3d intensity is significantly reduced, but they show a 1s-4p peak at about 6 eV below the edge. We used this `fingerprint` to monitor the structural change upon photolysis. Since the quantum yield of the base-off species is 0.48, the observed spectrum upon photolysis is a mixture of photoproduct and initial states. The photoproduct of the base-off methylcobalamin shows a substantial decrease in the 1s-3d peak and significant increase in the 1s-4p peak. This indicates the formation of a four-coordinate species. The four-coordinate species in the free cobalamin is very unstable and can only be detected by time-resolved methods. This indicates a special role for the protein in maintaining an unusual four-coordinate Co(II) corrinoid. 23 refs., 5 figs.

OSTI ID:
226746
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 100; ISSN JPCHAX; ISSN 0022-3654
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English