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Related Concept Videos

Formation of Complex Ions03:45

Formation of Complex Ions

A type of Lewis acid-base chemistry involves the formation of a complex ion (or a coordination complex) comprising a central atom, typically a transition metal cation, surrounded by ions or molecules called ligands. These ligands can be neutral molecules like H2O or NH3, or ions such as CN− or OH−. Often, the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating a pair of electrons to the central atom. These types of Lewis acid-base reactions are examples of a broad subdiscipline called coordination...
Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Properties of Organometallic Compounds01:23

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

Organometallic compounds are compounds that contain a carbon–metal bond. Carbon belongs to an organyl group like alkyl, aryl, allyl, or benzyl groups. The metal can be from Group I or Group II of the periodic table, a transition metal, or a semimetal.
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect01:19

Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

In complexation reactions, metal atoms or cations interact with ligands to form donor-acceptor adducts called metal complexes. Ligands that bind through one donor site are monodentate, ligands with two donor sites are bidentate, and those with more than two donor sites are polydentate ligands. For example, ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand that binds through two nitrogen donor atoms, forming a five-membered ring. EDTA is a polydentate ligand that binds through four oxygen and two nitrogen...
Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes01:09

Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes

In complexation reactions, metal cations are the electron pair acceptors, and the ligands are the electron pair donors. The stability of the metal complexes depends primarily on the complexing ability of the central metal ion and the nature of the ligands. Generally, the complexing ability of the metal ion depends on the size and charge of the ion. As the metal ion size increases, the stability of the metal complexes decreases, provided that the valency of the metal ion and the ligands remain...
Complexometric Titration: Ligands00:43

Complexometric Titration: Ligands

Different monodentate and polydentate ligands are used as complexing agents in complexometric titration reactions. The formation of complexes by mono- and bidentate ligands involves two or more intermediate steps, limiting their use as complexing agents. In comparison, polydentate ligands can form complexes with metal ions in a single-step process, facilitating sharper end points. This means polydentate ligands, such as amino carboxylic acid derivatives, are most commonly employed in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
14:44

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR

Published on: December 16, 2013

Oxytocin-receptor binding: why divalent metals are essential.

Dengfeng Liu1, Alexandra B Seuthe, Oli T Ehrler

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 17, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Divalent metal ions like zinc are crucial for oxytocin (OT) binding to its receptor. This study reveals how zinc binding alters OT conformation, creating a structure optimal for receptor interaction.

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Hormone-receptor interactions are vital for cellular signaling.
  • Divalent metal ions are known to be essential for oxytocin (OT) binding to its cellular receptor.
  • The molecular mechanisms underlying this metal-dependent binding remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular-level conformational changes of the oxytocin-zinc complex.
  • To understand how divalent metals facilitate oxytocin's interaction with its receptor.

Main Methods:

  • Ion mobility experiments were employed to probe the conformation of the oxytocin-zinc complex.
  • Molecular modeling techniques were utilized to analyze the structural changes.

Main Results:

  • Zinc ions (Zn2+) were found to occupy an octahedral site within the interior of the oxytocin peptide.
  • This binding event liberates the N-terminus of oxytocin.
  • A structured hydrophobic binding site is formed on the exterior of the peptide.

Conclusions:

  • The conformational changes induced by zinc binding are conducive to oxytocin's interaction with its receptor.
  • This research elucidates a key aspect of oxytocin receptor binding at the molecular level.
  • Understanding these interactions could inform the development of novel therapeutics.