Properties of the indole ring in metal complexes. A comparison with the phenol ring
Yuichi Shimazaki1, Tatsuo Yajima2, Osamu Yamauchi3
1College of Science, Ibaraki University, Mito310-8512, Japan.
Abstract:
Tryptophan (Trp), an essential amino acid, has an indole ring with a high electron density and is frequently seen at the proximal position of the metal site in metalloproteins. For example, the indole ring of Trp has been reported to interact weakly with Cu(I) in a Cu chaperone CusF. Another aromatic amino acid, tyrosine (Tyr), has a phenol ring, which is an important metal binding site in various metalloproteins. Although the structures of the aromatic rings are different, they both have a weakly acidic moiety and perform some similar roles in biological systems, such as radical formation and electron transfer. In this review, we focus on these and other properties of the indole and phenol rings in metal-containing systems.
Related Concept Videos
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
Acidity and Basicity of Alcohols and Phenols
Properties of Organometallic Compounds
Directing Effect of Substituents: ortho–para-Directing Groups
Directing Effect of Substituents: meta-Directing Groups
Physical Properties of Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols possess a higher boiling point than aliphatic hydrocarbons of...


