The chemistry of vitamin B12. Part XIV. Reaction of vitamin B12s with nitrobenzene and its reduction products
Abstract
The reduction of nitrobenzene, nitrosobenzene, and azoxybenzene by potassium borohydride is catalysed by hydroxocobalamin. The products of the reaction with nitrobenzene include aniline and azobenzene. The cobalt(I) cobalamin, vitamin B12s, reacts with nitrobenzene, nitrosobenzene, azoxybenzene, and azobenzene but not with phenylhydroxylamine or hydrazobenzene. A mechanism for the reduction is proposed.