Access to organometallic arylcobaltcorrins through radical synthesis: 4-ethylphenylcobalamin, a potential "antivitamin B(12)".

Locked B(12): 4-Ethylphenylcobalamin, a novel organometallic arylcobalamin, has been synthesized in a radical reaction. This vitamin B(12) antimetabolite features a strong Co-C bond, and represents a "locked" form of vitamin B(12) . It may be used in animal studies to induce functional vitamin B(12) deficiency artificially to help clarify still controversial issues related to the pathophysiology of vitamin B(12) deficiency.