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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...

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...

Coordination Number and Geometry

Coordination Number and Geometry

For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.

Valence Bond Theory

Valence Bond Theory

Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Published on: April 4, 2025

1,10-Phenanthroline platinum(II) complex: a simple molecule for efficient G-quadruplex stabilization.

Jin-Tao Wang¹, Xiao-Hui Zheng, Qing Xia

¹MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.

Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)

|July 2, 2010

Summary

Two platinum complexes stabilize G-quadruplex DNA. The [Pt(phen)(2)](PF(6))(2) complex shows superior G-quadruplex stabilization due to its increased planarity.

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Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

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Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

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Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

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Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

Area of Science:

Coordination Chemistry
Biophysical Chemistry
DNA Nanotechnology

Background:

G-quadruplex DNA structures are crucial in various biological processes.
Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA is a target for therapeutic intervention.
Platinum complexes are known for their DNA-binding properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the G-quadruplex DNA stabilization potential of two novel platinum complexes.
To compare the efficacy of [Pt(phen)(2)](PF(6))(2) and [Pt(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(2) in stabilizing G-quadruplex DNA.

Main Methods:

Synthesis and characterization of [Pt(phen)(2)](PF(6))(2) and [Pt(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(2).
Spectroscopic and biophysical techniques to assess G-quadruplex DNA binding and stabilization.
Computational analysis to evaluate the planarity of the complexes.

Main Results:

Both platinum complexes demonstrated significant G-quadruplex DNA stabilization.
[Pt(phen)(2)](PF(6))(2) exhibited higher stabilization capability compared to [Pt(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(2).
Enhanced planarity of the [Pt(phen)(2)](PF(6))(2) ligand correlated with its superior G-quadruplex stabilization.

Conclusions:

Platinum complexes offer a promising strategy for G-quadruplex DNA stabilization.
Ligand design, specifically planarity, is a key factor in optimizing G-quadruplex stabilization by platinum complexes.
These findings could inform the development of new G-quadruplex-targeting agents.