The cobalt(III), chromium(III), copper(II), and manganese(III) complexes of ethylenebis((o-hydroxyphenyl)glycine): Models for metallotransferrins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ic00138a012

The Co(III), Cr(III), Mn(III), and Cu(II) complexes of ethylenebis((o-hydroxyphenyl)glycine) have been prepared as models for the metal binding site in the iron transport protein transferrin. The meso and racemic forms of the ligand have been successfully separated and the metal complexes of each isomer examined, allowing the examination of steric effects on physical properties. Optical, electron spin resonance, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies have been used to characterize these complexes and to compare them to the appropriate transferrin spectra. The results presented here and elsewhere indicate that EHPG is a reasonable model for the metal binding in transferrin.