Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) complexes of alpha,beta-dehydro-dipeptides (
containing Gly, Leu, Ala, Val or Phe residues) were studied by potenti
ometric and spectroscopic methods. Deprotonation and coordination of a
mide nitrogens occurred in all cases around the physiological pH range
. The dipeptides with composition of Xaa-DELTA-Ala formed octahedral s
pecies, while Gly-DELTA-Xaa (Xaa = Leu or Phe) formed square planar bi
s complexes with Ni(II).