Abstract
The three possible isomers of [Co (L-orn)2] i. e., L-trans (O), L-cis (O)-trans (Na) and L-cis(O)-cis(Na) and one isomer, DL-cis(O) of [Co(D-orn) (L-orn)]+ complex have been prepared by ion-exchange chromatography from the reaction product of L-ornithine and a cobalt(III) complex such as trinitratotriamminecobalt(III). The presence of the LD complex suggests that the conversion of the L-amino acid into the D-amino acid occurred. Isomerization with active carbon of any of the above three isomers of [Co (L-orn)2]+ complex invariably gives mixtures of only the three isomers of [Co(L-orn)2]+ in the ratio of 0.09: 0.57: 0.34 in the order mentioned. Calculation of the strain energy minimization was tried for all the iso-mers. The order of the magnitude of the calculated free energy difference has corresponded to that for the free energy difference obtained by equilibration.
