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A Speculation on the Bactericidal Activity of certain Tellurium Compounds

Nature volume 154, page 88 (1944)Cite this article

Abstract

THE intense bactericidal activity of cyclotelluropentane-3: 5-dione (I) and some of its homologues was reported by Morgan and his collaborators1–4. This property is shared only to a limited extent by other tellurium compounds; it is not due to the lability of tellurium in this ring, since conversion of (I) into its equally labile dioxime causes a marked drop in bactericidal power (see table). The theory of substrate competition5 provides a rational explanation of the activity of this group of compounds. The formula of one of the highly active members, 2: 4-dimethyl-cyclotelluropentane-3: 5-dione (II), bears a striking resemblance to that of pyridoxine (III), which is known to be a growth-factor for many species of micro-organisms6–8, and it seems to us possible that the relation between the two substances may be similar to that between p-amino-benzoic acid and sulphanilanaide9,10.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, University College, Nottingham

    J. MASSON GULLAND & W. V. FARRAR

Authors
  1. J. MASSON GULLAND
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  2. W. V. FARRAR
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GULLAND, J., FARRAR, W. A Speculation on the Bactericidal Activity of certain Tellurium Compounds. Nature 154, 88 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/154088a0

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