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Metal-Ligand Bonds

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...

Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

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 Complexes

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...

Extraction: Advanced Methods

Extraction: Advanced Methods

Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is formed in...

Complexometric Titration: Ligands

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...

EDTA: Chemistry and Properties

EDTA: Chemistry and Properties

Polydentate ligands are most widely used in complexometric titrations because they form more stable complexes with the metal ions than mono- or bidentate ligands due to the chelate effect. Examples of polydentate ligands are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), crown ethers, and cryptands. The most important feature of optimal polydentate ligands is the ability to form 1:1 complexes in a single-step process. Amino carboxylic acid derivatives are frequently used as complexing agents. EDTA is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Published on: September 7, 2019

Targeting proteins with metal complexes.

¹Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, 35043, Marburg, Germany. meggers@chemie.uni-marburg.de

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)

|February 20, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Metal complexes are emerging as versatile tools for targeting proteins, offering unique properties for designing enzyme inhibitors and redox modulators. Future applications combine metal-specific features with molecular recognition for novel therapeutic strategies.

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

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

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Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Published on: September 7, 2019

Preparation and Evaluation of 99mTc-labeled Tridentate Chelates for Pre-targeting Using Bioorthogonal Chemistry

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

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

Published on: December 16, 2013

Area of Science:

Coordination Chemistry
Chemical Biology
Drug Design

Background:

Metal complexes possess unique properties like structural diversity and tunable redox activity.
They are increasingly explored as scaffolds for targeting proteins, beyond traditional nucleic acid interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent trends in the design and application of metal complexes for protein targeting.
To highlight strategies for selective protein binding and the development of novel enzyme inhibitors and redox modulators.

Main Methods:

Discussion of chemically inert metal complexes for enzyme inhibitor design.
Exploration of strategies for selective coordination chemistry at protein binding sites.
Review of advances in catalytic enzyme inhibitors and metal complexes for redox enzyme modulation.

Main Results:

Metal complexes show promise as enzyme inhibitors and modulators of redox enzymes.
Selective protein binding is often achieved through weak interactions between the ligand sphere and the protein binding site.
Novel compounds with unprecedented properties can be developed by combining metal-unique features with molecular recognition principles.

Conclusions:

Metal complexes offer exciting opportunities for developing targeted therapeutics and chemical probes.
The integration of metal-based properties with "organic-like" molecular recognition principles is a key future direction.
This field promises novel compounds with unique and unprecedented biological activities.