Optically active co-ordination compounds. Part XXXIII. Bacterial resolution of bis(ethylenediamine)l,10-phenanthrolinecobalt(III) chloride, 2,2′-bipyridylbis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) chloride, and potassium (ethylenediaminetetra-acetato)cobaltate(III)

Abstract

A number of co-ordination compounds of cobalt(III) have been screened as potential nitrogen sources for bacterial growth under aerobic conditions. A strain of Pseudomonas stutzeri has been isolated and its use as a ‘biological resolving agent’ to bring about stereoselective metabolism of racemic [Co(en)₂(phen)]Cl₃ and of [Co(en)₂(bipy)]Cl₃(en = ethylenediamine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl), when either complex is supplied to the organism as the sole nitrogen source, is reported. The organism will also reduce, stereoselectively, racemic K[Co(edta)](edta = ethylenediaminetetra-acetato) in the presence of NH₄Cl (0·1% w/v) but it is unable to utilize this complex as a nitrogen source. The cobalt species produced during these various degradations have been characterized. There is no reduction when racemates of [Co(en)₃] Cl₃, [Co(en)₂(sal)]Cl, [Co(en)₂(pic)] Cl₂, or abd-[Co(gly)₃][sal = salicylate(2–), pic =α-picolinato, and gly = glycinato-O] are supplied to the organism either as the sole sources of nitrogen or together with NH₄Cl (0·1% w/v).