Research work · 1997
The d-block – nonredox chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry in Biology
Abstract
This chapter discusses transition elements with a propensity for facile one or two electron changes that feature heavily in the oxidoreductases. It analyses the H2O liability that is essential for the metal ions to operate in metalloenzymes wherein the substitution of H2O by substrate is often a necessary step and is rarely rate limiting in the overall mechanism. It also explains how a substrate is added to the existing coordinated ligands, which is possible because the metal ions have variable coordination numbers. The chapter talks about the loss of liability when the metal ion is strongly chelated, which is required when the purpose of the ligand is to help transport the metal ion. It describes first row transition elements that are represented in the hydrolase, lyase, and isomerase classes.