A number of methylmercurated complexes of 6-mercaptopurine riboside and 2-amino-6-mercaptopurine riboside (6-MNucH2) containing S-bound CH3Hg(II) in neutral and cationic complexes (as in [CH3Hg(6-MNucH)] and [CH3Hg(6-MNucH2)]NO3), S- and N-bound CH3Hg(II) (as in [(CH3Hg)2(6-MNucH)]NO3), and S-, N-, C-bound CH3Hg(II) (as in [(CH3Hg)3(6-MNuc)]NO3) have been prepared in aqueous solution at appropriate pH and mole ratios of the constituents. The complexes were characterized by means of 1H and 13C nmr and ir spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Formation of C-bound methylmercurated species extends our previous results obtained with xanthosine, inosine, and imidazole derivatives, and substantiates our proposal that activation through electrophilic coordination at N(7) is a requirement for C(8)—H abstraction. 2J(1H–199Hg) coupling constants, measured in (CD3)2SO for a number of CH3Hg(II) complexes of N-, S-, and C-donor heterocyclic ligands, including the 6-mercaptopurine riboside of the present study, correlate well with the 1J(13C–199Hg) coupling constants, according to 1J = 8.4602J − 155.6. The significance of this correlation in terms of the strength of the Hg–ligand bond is considered. The results could provide insight into the apparent selectivity of binding of CH3Hg(II) by bio-ligands, as well as in the design of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of methylmercury poisoning.
Volcanic Related Methylmercury Poisoning as the Possible Driver of the End-Devonian Mass Extinction