SYNTHESIS OF CHROMIUM(III) COMPLEXES WITH NUCLEOTIDE, AMINO ACID AND PEPTIDE

The biologically damaging species in chromium(VI) toxicity are believed to be DNA-chromium(III)-protein crosslinks. Attempts have been made to model these crosslinks by synthesizing Cr(III)-nucleotide and Cr(III)-amino acid complexes. A Cr(III)-AMP (Adenosine 5$\sp\prime$-monophosphate) complex has been made using a heating method. Two Cr(III)-aspartic acid complexes have been synthesized. To model the complex formation with chromium(III) and the aspartic acid side chain in a protein or peptide, two chromium(III) complexes with aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) have been made. All these complexes have been analyzed with chemical analysis and characterized by spectrophotometry. The details of synthesis and separation, as well as the data from the characterization of these complexes, are presented.