Comparative mechanisms of vitamin B6-catalyzed beta-decarboxylation and beta-dephosphonylation in model systems

Reaction pathways and mechanisms of vitamin B6-catalyzed beta-decarboxylation and beta-dephosphonylation of aminocarboxylic and aminophosphonic acids in model systems are compared. It was found that both reactions require prior transamination of an aldimine intermediate to a ketimine. For ketimines having carboxylate or phosphonate groups substituted on the beta-carbon atoms of the keto acid residue, there is a hydrogen ion or metal ion-activated covalent bond pathway which involves a shift of electron pairs toward the coordinated ketimine nitrogen, leading to beta-gamma, C-C or C-P bond fission and release of carbon dioxide or metaphosphate, respectively. Comparison of these reactions indicates that beta-decarboxylation is 10(6) faster than the corresponding dephosphonylation reaction. Since only a few studies of vitamin B6-catalyzed dephosphonylation have been carried out, suggestions are made for further studies with substrates designed to elucidate the reaction mechanisms involved.