Arsenobetaine
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Arsenobetaine is a chemical compound that is the main source of arsenic found in fish.[1] It is the arsenic analogue of trimethylglycine, comenly known as betaine. The biochemistry and its biosynthesis are similar to the biosynthesis of cholin and betain.
Besides several other arsenic compounds, like dimethyl and trimethylarsine, arsenobetaine is a common substance in the biological systems for detoxification.
It has been known since 1920 that marine fish contain organoarsenic compounds. In 1977 the structure of the main compound was discovered. [2]
[edit] References
- ^ Environmental Chemistry 2005 Volume 2 Issue 3
- ^ John S. Edmonds, Kevin A. Francesconi, Jack R. Cannon, Colin L. Raston, Brian W. Skelton and Allan H. White (1977). "Isolation, crystal structure and synthesis of arsenobetaine, the arsenical constituent of the western rock lobster panulirus longipes cygnus George". Tetrahedron Letters 18 (18): 1543-1546. doi:.
[edit] Further Reading
- P. J. Craig (2003). "Organometallic Compounds in the Environment": 415.
