H. Dixon
1996
Citations
3
Influential Citations
182
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Advances in Inorganic Chemistry
Abstract
Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biochemical action of arsonic acids especially as phosphate analogues. Arsenic(III) oxide is the main arsenic-based poison. The As 4 O 6 molecule easily interconverts with arsenious acid, As(OH) 3 , and its salts, the arsenites. Other compounds of the general structure R-AsX 2 , where X is a displaceable ligand, are also highly toxic. Their toxicity is because of their high affinity with the dihydrolipoyl groups of pyruvate dehydrogenase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, and 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate dehydrogenase. Arsenate is the product, and because the bacteria can oxidize arsenite, the original degradation of the arsonoacetate may be reductive and form arsenite, which is then oxidized to the less toxic arsenate. Many arsonic acids can be isolated by adsorption onto the acetate of a strongly basic ion-exchange resin, and elution with steps of increasing strength of acetic and formic acids. An analogous mechanism is seen in the utilization of arsonoacetate by a bacterium as its sole source of energy and carbon.