The acid-base and redox properties of menaquinone MK-4, MK-7, and MK-9 (vitamin K2) in DMPC monolayers on mercury.

The acid-base and redox properties of the menaquinones MK-4, MK-7, and MK-9 (vitamin K2) have been studied in DMPC monolayers on mercury electrodes. The monolayers were prepared by adhesion-spreading of menaquinone-spiked DMPC liposomes on a stationary mercury drop electrode. All three menaquinones possess [Formula: see text] constants outside the experimentally accessible range, i.e., they are higher than about 12. The standard potentials of MK-4, MK-7, and MK-9 in the DMPC monolayers are very similar, i.e., 0.351, 0.326, and 0.330 V (corresponding to the biochemical standard potentials - 0.063, - 0.088, and - 0.085 V).