Direct evidence for the acid-catalysed isomeric scrambling of bilirubin IX-α
Abstract
Treatment of bilirubin IX-α in dimethyl sulphoxide with acetic acid at 85° or with concentrated hydrochloric acid at room temperature causes isomerisation and formation of bilirubin III-α and bilirubin XIII-α whereas similar treatment at room temperature with sodium hydroxide or sodium methoxide does not.