Separation of vitamin K2 isoprenologues by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography.

A simple thin-layer chromatographic system for the separation of the iso,prenologues of vitamin K, is described. This system employs hexadecane-impregnated Kieselguhr thin-layer plates and an acetone-water solvent system. Using ~c-[r-W]naphthol or Z-[l‘X]methyl-x,4-naphthoquinone and DL-[5-3H]mevalonate, the separation of the isoprenologues was confirmed. Each isoprenologue was recovered quantitatively and its proportion determined either by ultraviolet spectroscopy or radioactivity in the ring nucleus. Stufihylococcus aweus synthesizes vitamin K, isoprenologues with 0, 5, IO, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 4.5 carbon atoms in the side chain. Vitamin II;,-0 represents about 6 y0 ; Ke-5 through 30, between I and 1.5 y0 each; K2-35, 20 y0 ; K2-40, 60 % ; K2-45, 6 y0 of the total. Hnemo+7us parainfluenzae forms z-demethyl vitamin K, isoprenologues with o, 5, IO, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 carbon atoms in the side chain.