COPPER(II) COMPLEXES OF (R,S)-ALPHA-HYDROXYMETHYLORNITHINE AND ITS N-DELTA-BENZOYL DERIVATIVE

Complex formation between copper(II) and (R,S)-alpha-hydroxymethylorni thine or (R,S)-N-delta-benzoyl-alpha-hydroxymethylornithine was studie d in aqueous solution by potentiometric and spectroscopic (electron pa ramagnetic resonance and electronic absorption) techniques. The result s show that the alpha-hydroxymethyl derivatives of ornithine are coord inated through the alcoholic group to the copper(II) ion in basic solu tion. Deprotonation and coordination of the alpha-hydroxymethyl group occurs and yields species with the amino and/or carboxylato groups als o bound to the metal ion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.