The syntheses of a number of 3-substituted prop-2-en-l -ols and -1 -als, required for studying the latent inhibition of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1 .I ), are described. Substituents were chosen to cover a range of alkoxide, phenolate, thiolate, and halide leaving groups. Of the compounds studied, only 3-ethylthioprop-2-en-l-01 proved to be a latent inhibitor through oxidation to the corresponding aldehyde, catalysed by the enzyme. The persistence of inhibition caused by this inhibitor is shown, by product studies and kinetic measurements, to be due to ethanethiol, formed by an enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of the aldehyde. TABLE 1 Inhibition properties of the compounds studied a Krn IM Kl I M Inhibition propcrties Competitive, b slow inactivation 1.54 x 10-4 1.25 x lea 6.4 x 10-4 5.0 x los6 1 . 3 x 10-6 5.2 x 1 0 -4 Perkin I Competitive; no time-dependent inactiva-Neither substrate nor inhibitor No time-dependent inactivation tion, forms malonic dialdehyde No time-dependent inactivation Competitive, no time-dependent inactiva-Rapid covalent inhibition at 1 0 -s ~, 4 = 2 tion, forms malonic dialdehyde min Rapid covalent inhibition at 1 0 -6 ~, ti = 30s No time-dependent inactivation Competitive, reversible No time-dcycndciit inactivation 6.2 x lo-' Competitive, reversible Compounds were assayed at pH 9 in the presence of NAL) (1.5 x l P 3 ~) , using 3.76 x l0-'-1.5 x 1 W 6 ~ lIL.4DH. Q ' Conipetitive refers to competition with ethanol.[0/1182 Received, 28th JuZy, 108OJ