A hexagonal planar transition-metal complex.

Transition-metal complexes are widely used in the physical and biological sciences. They have essential roles in catalysis, synthesis, materials science, photophysics and bioinorganic chemistry. Our understanding of transition-metal complexes originates from Alfred Werner's realization that their three-dimensional shape influences their properties and reactivity1, and the intrinsic link between shape and electronic structure is now firmly underpinned by molecular-orbital theory2-5. Despite more than a century of advances in this field, the geometries of transition-metal complexes remain limited to a few well-understood examples. The archetypal geometries of six-coordinate transition metals are octahedral and trigonal prismatic, and although deviations from ideal bond angles and bond lengths are frequent6, alternative parent geometries are extremely rare7. The hexagonal planar coordination environment is known, but it is restricted to condensed metallic phases8, the hexagonal pores of coordination polymers9, or clusters that contain more than one transition metal in close proximity10,11. Such a geometry had been considered12,13 for [Ni(PtBu)6]; however, an analysis of the molecular orbitals suggested that this complex is best described as a 16-electron species with a trigonal planar geometry14. Here we report the isolation and structural characterization of a simple coordination complex in which six ligands form bonds with a central transition metal in a hexagonal planar arrangement. The structure contains a central palladium atom surrounded by three hydride and three magnesium-based ligands. This finding has the potential to introduce additional design principles for transition-metal complexes, with implications for several scientific fields.

An Isolable Mononuclear Palladium(I) Amido Complex.

Mononuclear Pd(I) species are putative intermediates in Pd-catalyzed reactions, but our knowledge about them is limited due to difficulties in accessing them. Herein, we report the isolation of a Pd(I) amido complex, [(BINAP)Pd(NHArTrip)] (BINAP = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthalene, ArTrip = 2,6-bis(2',4',6'-triisopropylphenyl)phenyl), from the reaction of (BINAP)PdCl2 with LiNHArTrip. This Pd(I) amido species has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance, and multiedge Pd X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Theoretical study revealed that, while the three-electron-two-center π-interaction between Pd and N in the Pd(I) complex imposes severe Pauli repulsion in its Pd-N bond, pronounced attractive interligand dispersion force aids its stabilization. In accord with its electronic features, reactions of homolytic Pd-N bond cleavage and deprotonation of primary amines are observed on the Pd(I) amido complex.

Synthesis, Biomacromolecular Interactions, Photodynamic NO Releasing and Cellular Imaging of Two [RuCl(qn)(Lbpy)(NO)]X Complexes.

Two light-activated NO donors [RuCl(qn)(Lbpy)(NO)]X with 8-hydroxyquinoline (qn) and 2,2'-bipyridine derivatives (Lbpy) as co-ligands were synthesized (Lbpy1 = 4,4'-dicarboxyl-2,2'-dipyridine, X = Cl- and Lbpy2 = 4,4'-dimethoxycarbonyl-2,2'-dipyridine, X = NO3-), and characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), elemental analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) spectra. The [RuCl(qn)(Lbpy2)(NO)]NO3 complex was crystallized and exhibited distorted octahedral geometry, in which the Ru-N(O) bond length was 1.752(6) Å and the Ru-N-O angle was 177.6(6)°. Time-resolved FT-IR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra were used to confirm the photoactivated NO release of the complexes. The binding constant (Kb) of two complexes with human serum albumin (HSA) and DNA were quantitatively evaluated using fluorescence spectroscopy, Ru-Lbpy1 (Kb~106 with HSA and ~104 with DNA) had higher affinity than Ru-Lbpy2. The interactions between the complexes and HSA were investigated using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and EPR spectra. HSA can be used as a carrier to facilitate the release of NO from the complexes upon photoirradiation. The confocal imaging of photo-induced NO release in living cells was successfully observed with a fluorescent NO probe. Moreover, the photocleavage of pBR322 DNA for the complexes and the effect of different Lbpy substituted groups in the complexes on their reactivity were analyzed.

Discovery of Guanidine Derivatives from Buthus martensii Karsch with Metal-Binding and Cholinesterase Inhibition Properties.

Two rare guanidine-type alkaloids, Buthutin A (1) and Buthutin B (2), along with two other compounds (3, 4), were isolated from Buthus martensii Karsch, and determined using extensive spectroscopic data analysis and high resolution-mass spectrometry. Compound 1 showed the most potent inhibition on AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 7.83 ± 0.06 and 47.44 ± 0.95 µM, respectively. Kinetic characterization of compound 1 confirmed a mixed-type of AChE inhibition mechanism in accordance with the docking results, which shows its interaction with both catalytic active (CAS) and peripheral anionic (PAS) sites. The specific binding of compound 1 to PAS domain of AChE was also confirmed experimentally. Moreover, compounds 1 and 3 exhibited satisfactory biometal binding abilities toward Cu2+, Fe2+, Zn2+ and Al3+ ions. These results provide a new evidence for further development and utilization of B. martensii in health and pharmaceutical products.

Metabolomics Assay Identified a Novel Virulence-Associated Siderophore Encoded by the High-Pathogenicity Island in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

To date, yersiniabactin remains the only identified siderophore encoded by the high pathogenicity island (HPI) in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). In the present study, we aim to discover and identify new siderophores in the HPI-dependent biosynthetic pathway using a combinational strategy of metabolomics and genetics. A global metabolome assay of wild-type UTI89, UTI89ΔybtS, and UTI89ΔybtS with the substrate addition of salicylic acid found numerous unknown metabolite features that were encoded by the HPI with an obvious substrate dependency on salicylic acid. One metabolite feature with m/ z 307.0206 was shown to have a similar phenotype as yersiniabactin. Furthermore, isotope mass spectrum calculations and MS/MS annotations were combined to identify this metabolite as HPTzTn-COOH. HPTzTn-COOH was verified as a new siderophore in this study, and it was observed to have a robust capacity to chelate different metals, including Al3+, Ni2+, and Ca2+, in addition to binding Fe3+. Our data revealed that HPTzTn-COOH has a stronger diagnostic ability over the more conventionally used yersiniabactin, as characterized by its high production throughout UPEC strains harboring HPI. Altogether, our discoveries revise the siderophore family, and HPTzTn-COOH can be classified as an additional key siderophore along with yersiniabactin.

Preparation, Diagnosis, Biological Activity, and Theoretical Studies of Some Mixed Drug Complexes.

This paper includes synthesis and characterization of mixed ligand complexes derived from mefenamic acid and metformin using transition metal ions such as Co(II) and Cu(II). These complexes have been characterized by magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, TG analyses, and spectral techniques such as FTIR and UV spectra. The theoretical study of the ligands and their complexes using semiempirical (PM6) method was used to measure IR and UV spectroscopy, HOMO-LUMO categories of the ligands. These synthesized complexes are also studied for their biological activities. The studies made on these complexes proposed a six octahedral geometry.

Chagosendines A - C, New Metal Complexes of Imidazole Alkaloids from the Calcareous Sponge Leucetta chagosensis.

Chemical examination of the bright yellow sponge Leucetta chagosensis resulted in the isolation of three new imidazole-based alkaloid complexes namely chagosendines A - C (1 - 3), together with known analogues pyronaamidine, naamidine J, and naamine C. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (IR, MS, NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction) analysis in association with the chemical conversion. The isolated alkaloids together with three synthesized new homodimer complexes were evaluated for the cytotoxic activities against a panel of tumor cell lines. The copper complexes of imidazole alkaloids 2 and 3, as found from nature for the first time, exerted selective and remarkable activities against the tumor cell lines K562, HepG2, and HeLa.

Highly Effective Removal of Metal Cyanide Complexes and Recovery of Palladium Using Quaternary-Ammonium-Functionalized MOFs.

In this study, quaternary-ammonium-functionalized metal⁻organic frameworks (MOFs) Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2)(DMF), were prepared, characterized, and applied for the highly effective removal of metal cyanide complexes, including Pd(CN)4²-, Co(CN)6³-, and Fe(CN)6³-. Batch studies were carried out, and the maximum adsorption capacities of Pd(II), Co(III), and Fe(III) reached 172.9, 101.0, and 102.6, respectively. Adsorption was rapid, and equilibrium was established within 30 min. Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2)(DMF) exhibited high thermal and chemical stability. Furthermore, absorbed Pd(CN)4²- was selectively recovered by two-step elution. First, Co(CN)6³- and Fe(CN)6³- were eluted with a 1.5 mol L-¹ KCl solution. Elution rates of Co(CN)6³- and Fe(CN)6³- were greater than 98.0%, whereas the elution percentage of Pd(CN)4²- was less than 2.0%. Second, >97.0% Pd(CN)4²- on the loaded MOFs was eluted using a 2.0 mol L-¹ KI solution. The recovery rate of Pd(CN)4²- was greater than 91.0% after five testing cycles. Adsorption isotherms, kinetics models, and adsorption thermodynamics of Pd(CN)4²- on Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2) (DMF) were also systematically investigated. The Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2) (DMF) absorbent exhibited a rapid, excellent ability for the adsorption of metal cyanide complexes.

Structural characterization of pyoverdines produced by Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120.

The previously unknown sequences of several pyoverdines (PVD) produced by a biotechnologically-relevant bacterium, namely, Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120, were characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The same structural characterization scheme was checked before by analysis of Pseudomonas sp. putida KT2440 samples with known PVDs. A new sample preparation strategy based on solid-phase extraction was developed, requiring significantly reduced sample material as compared to existing methods. Chromatographic separation was performed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with gradient elution. Interestingly, no signals for apoPVDs were detected in these analyses, only the corresponding aluminum(III) and iron(III) complexes were seen. The chromatographic separation readily enabled separation of PVD complexes according to their individual structures. HPLC-HRMS and complementary fragmentation data from collision-induced dissociation and electron capture dissociation enabled the structural characterization of the investigated pyoverdines. In Pseudomonas sp. putida KT2240 samples, the known pyoverdines G4R and G4R A were readily confirmed. No PVDs have been previously described for Pseudomonas sp. taiwanensis VLB120. In our study, we identified three new PVDs, which only differed in their acyl side chains (succinic acid, succinic amide and malic acid). Peptide sequencing by MS/MS provided the sequence Orn-Asp-OHAsn-Thr-AcOHOrn-Ser-cOHOrn. Of particular interest is the presence of OHAsn, which has not been reported as PVD constituent before.

Isolation, Characterization, and Reactivity of Fe8Me12(-): Kochi's S = 1/2 Species in Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings with MeMgBr and Ferric Salts.

Iron-catalyzed cross-couplings with simple ferric salts have been known since the 1970s, pioneered by Kochi for cross-coupling using alkylmagnesium nucleophiles including MeMgBr. While Kochi observed the formation of a S = 1/2 iron species in reactions of simple ferric salts with MeMgBr proposed to be an iron(I) species, the identity of this species has remained undefined for nearly 40 years. Herein, we report the isolation and characterization of [MgCl(THF)5][Fe8Me12], which combined with EPR and MCD studies is shown to be consistent with Kochi's S = 1/2 species. Reaction studies with ß-bromostyrene demonstrate that this species alone displays minimal reactivity but, when combined with additional MeMgBr, leads to rapid and selective formation of cross-coupled product.

Isolation of a Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)germylene.

A 1,4-addition of a dichlorogermylene dioxane complex with α,ß-unsaturated imine 1 gave a dichlorogermane derivative 2 bearing a GeC3N five-membered ring skeleton. By reducing 2 with KC8, cyclic (alkyl)(amino)germylene 3 was synthesized and fully characterized. Germylene 3 readily reacted with TEMPO, N2O and S8, producing the 1:2 adduct 4, the oxo-bridged dimer 5 and the sulfido-bridged dimer 6, respectively.

New insight of coordination and extraction of uranium(VI) with N-donating ligands in room temperature ionic liquids: N,N'-diethyl-N,N'-ditolyldipicolinamide as a case study.

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) represent a recent new class of solvents applied in liquid/liquid extraction based nuclear fuel reprocessing, whereas the related coordination chemistry and detailed extraction processes are still not well understood and remain of deep fundamental interest. The work herein provides a new insight of coordination and extraction of uranium(VI) with N-donating ligands, e.g., N,N'-diethyl-N,N'-ditolyldipicolinamide (EtpTDPA), in commonly used RTILs. Exploration of the extraction mechanism, speciation analyses of the extracted U(VI), and crystallographic studies of the interactions of EtpTDPA with U(VI) were performed, including the first structurally characterized UO2(EtpTDPA)2(NTf2) and UO2(EtpTDPA)2(PF6)2 compounds and a first case of crystallographic differentiation between the extracted U(VI) complexes in RTILs and in molecular solvents. It was found that in RTILs two EtpTDPA molecules coordinate with one U(VI) ion through the carbonyl and pyridine nitrogen moieties, while NTf2(-) and PF6(-) act as counterions. The absence of NO3(-) in the complexes is coincident with a cation-exchange extraction. In contrast, both the extracted species and extraction mechanisms are greatly different in dichloromethane, in which UO2(2+) coordinates in a neutral complex form with one EtpTDPA molecule and two NO3(-) cations. In addition, the complex formation in RTILs is independent of the cation exchange since incorporating UO2(NO3)2, EtpTDPA, and LiNTf2 or KPF6 in a solution also produces the same complex as that in RTILs, revealing the important roles of weakly coordinating anions on the coordination chemistry between U(VI) and EtpTDPA. These findings suggest that cation-exchange extraction mode for ILs-based extraction system probably originates from the supply of weakly coordinating anions from RTILs. Thus the coordination of uranium(VI) with extractants as well as the cation-exchange extraction mode may be potentially changed by varying the counterions of uranyl or introducing extra anions.

Characterization of Hg-phytochelatins complexes in vines (Vitis vinifera cv Malbec) as defense mechanism against metal stress.

An approach to understand vines (Vitis vinifera) defense mechanism against heavy metal stress by isolation and determination of Hg-phytochelatins (PCs) complexes was performed. PCs are important molecules involved in the control of metal concentration in plants. PCs complex toxic metals through -SH groups and stores them inside cells vacuole avoiding any toxic effect of free metals in the cytosol. The Hg-PCs identification was achieved by determination of Hg and S as hetero-tagged atoms. A method involving two-dimensional chromatographic analysis coupled to atomic spectrometry and confirmation by tandem mass spectrometry is proposed. An approach involving size exclusion chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on roots, stems, and leaves extracts describing Hg distribution according to molecular weight and sulfur associations is proposed for the first time. Medium-low molecular weight Hg-S associations of 29-100 kDa were found, suggesting PCs presence. A second approach employing reversed-phase chromatography coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry analysis allowed the determination of Hg-PCs complexes within the mentioned fractions. Chromatograms showed Hg-PC2, Hg-PC3 and Hg-PC4 presence only in roots. Hg-PCs presence in roots was confirmed by ESI-MS/MS analysis.

A novel micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method for separation of metal-DDTC complexes.

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was examined for the separation and determination of Mo(VI), Cr(VI), Ni(II), Pd(II), and Co(III) as diethyl dithiocarbamate (DDTC) chelates. The separation was achieved from fused silica capillary (52 cm × 75 µm id) with effective length 40 cm, background electrolyte (BGE) borate buffer pH 9.1 (25 mM), CTAB 30% (100 mM), and 1% butanol in methanol (70 : 30 : 5 v/v/v) with applied voltage of -10 kV using reverse polarity. The photodiode array detection was achieved at 225 nm. The linear calibration for each of the element was obtained within 0.16-10 µg/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) 0.005-0.0167 µg/mL. The separation and determination was repeatable with relative standard deviation (RSD) within 2.4-3.3% (n = 4) in terms of migration time and peak height/peak area. The method was applied for the determination of Mo(VI) from potatoes and almond, Ni(II) from hydrogenated vegetable oil, and Co(III) from pharmaceutical preparations with RSD within 3.9%. The results obtained were checked by standard addition and rechecked by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Extraction equilibrium of indium(III) from nitric acid solutions by di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid dissolved in kerosene.

The extraction equilibrium of indium(III) from a nitric acid solution using di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as an acidic extractant of organophosphorus compounds dissolved in kerosene was studied. By graphical and numerical analysis, the compositions of indium-D2EHPA complexes in organic phase and stoichiometry of the extraction reaction were examined. Nitric acid solutions with various indium concentrations at 25 °C were used to obtain the equilibrium constant of InR3 in the organic phase. The experimental results showed that the extraction distribution ratios of indium(III) between the organic phase and the aqueous solution increased when either the pH value of the aqueous solution and/or the concentration of the organic phase extractant increased. Finally, the recovery efficiency of indium(III) in nitric acid was measured.

A novel isotachophoresis of cobalt and copper complexes by metal ion substitution reaction in a continuous moving chelation boundary.

A novel separation mode of isotachophoresis (ITP) was advanced for the study on the continuous moving chelation boundary (MCB) formed with EDTA and two metal ions of Co(II) and Cu(II). The experiments were performed systemically. The relevant results indicated that: (1) there were three boundaries in the whole system, viz., a sharp MCB, a wide moving substitution boundary (MSB) and a sharp complex boundary (CB); (2) within the MSB, an ion substitution reaction occurred between [Co-EDTA](2-) and Cu(II), and the reaction resulted in the release of Co(II) and EDTA from [Co-EDTA](2-) and the binding of Cu(II) with the released EDTA due to log K(Cu(II)) (= 18.80) > log K(Co(II)) (= 16.31); (3) because of the novel ITP mode induced by the MSB as well as the merging of the MCB and CB, the original low concentration Co(II) and Cu(II) were chemically separated as two characteristic coloured zones of pink [Co-EDTA](2-) and blue [Cu-EDTA](2-), and the sensitivities for detection of the two metal ions were greatly enhanced. The quantitative analyses of the zone composition by ICP-AES and UV-vis spectrophotometry supported the mechanism of the novel separation mode induced by the MSB. The further theoretical and experimental results indicated that the separation mode was a novel ITP relied on moving reaction boundary (MRB), rather than a classic ITP based on the moving boundary system developed about 60 years ago. These findings provide guidance for the development of the MRB and the MCB-based ITP separation of metal ions in environmental and biological matrices.

Isolation, characterization, and computational studies of the novel [Mo3(mu3-Br)2(mu-Br)3Br6]2- cluster anion.

The novel trimolybdenum cluster [Mo(3)(mu(3)-Br)(2)(mu-Br)(3)Br(6)](2-) (1, {Mo(3)}(9+), 9 d-electrons) has been isolated from the reaction of [Mo(CO)(6)] with 1,2-C(2)H(4)Br(2) in refluxing PhCl. The compound has been characterized in solution by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and in the solid state by X-ray analysis (counter-cations: (n-Bu)(4)N(+) (1), Et(4)N(+), Et(3)BzN(+)), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), magnetic susceptibility measurements, and infrared spectroscopy. The least disordered (n-Bu)(4)N(+) salt crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, a = 20.077(2) A, b = 11.8638(11) A, c = 22.521(2) A, alpha = 90 deg, beta = 109.348(4) deg, gamma = 90 deg, V = 5061.3(9) A(3), Z = 4 and contains an isosceles triangular metal arrangement, which is capped by two bromine ligands. Each edge of the triangle is bridged by bromine ions. The structure is completed by six terminal bromine ligands. According to the magnetic measurements and the EPR spectrum the trimetallic core possesses one unpaired electron. Electrochemical data show that oxidation by one electron of 1 is reversible, thus proceeding with retention of the trimetallic core, while the reduction is irreversible. The effective magnetic moment of 1 (mu(eff), 1.55 mu(B), r.t.) is lower than the spin-only value (1.73 mu(B)) for S = 1/2 systems, most likely because of high spin-orbit coupling of Mo(III) and/or magnetic coupling throughout the lattice. The ground electronic state of 1 was studied using density functional theory techniques under the broken symmetry formalism. The ground state is predicted to exhibit strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the three molybdenum atoms of the core. Moreover, our calculated data predict two broken symmetry states that differ only by 0.4 kcal/mol (121 cm(-1)). The antiferromagnetic character is delocalized over three magnetic orbitals populated by three electrons. The assignment of the infrared spectra is also provided.

Characterization of metal glycinate complexes by electrospray Q-TOF-MS/MS and their determination by capillary electrophoresis-ICP-MS: application to premix samples.

A method was developed for the determination of metal complexes with glycine (glycinates, [M(Gly)(x)(H(2)O)(y)(SO(4))(z)](n), where M denotes Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) in premix samples used for the preparation of animal feeds enriched in essential trace elements. The method was based on the extraction of the glycinates with 10 mM ammonium acetate (pH 7.4) followed by their determination using capillary electrophoresis with ICP MS detection. The stability of the glycinates in solution was verified by electrospray TOF-MS. Each supplement was shown to be a mixture of complexes, with polymerization degrees ranging from n = 1 to n = 4 (depending on the metal), that were fully or partially dehydrated. The metal glycine complex moiety was found to be preserved during capillary electrophoresis. The detection limits, calculated as three times the standard deviation of the blank plus the blank, were between 0.05 and 0.2 microg mL(-1) (as the metal), and the calibration curves were linear, allowing the analysis of premix samples. Repeatability for glycinate standards was below 12%, and analytical precision was typically within 15%.

Organic matter and heavy metal removals from complexed metal plating effluent by the combined electrocoagulation/Fenton process.

In the present study, the treatment of metal plating wastewater containing complexed metals originating from the nickel and zinc plating process by electrocoagulation (EC) using stainless steel electrodes was explored. In order to improve the organic matter removal efficiency, the effect of H(2)O(2) addition to the electrocoagulation (the combined EC/Fenton process) application was investigated. For this purpose, a wide range of H(2)O(2) concentrations varying between 15 and 230 mM was tested. All EC and EC/Fenton processes were performed at an initial pH of 2.6 and at an optimized current density of 22 mA/cm(2). Although up to 30 mM H(2)O(2) addition improved the EC process performance in terms of organic matter abatement, the highest COD and TOC removal efficiencies were obtained for the combined EC/Fenton process in the presence of 20 mM H(2)O(2). Nickel and zinc were completely removed for all runs tested in the present study after pH adjustments. At the optimized operation conditions, the combined EC/Fenton process proved to be an alternative treatment method for the improvement of organic matter reduction as well as complexed metal removal from metal plating industry wastewater.

Novel combinations of experimental and computational analysis tested on the binding of metalloprotoporphyrins to albumin.

The evidence that Human Serum Albumin (HSA) binds metal ions and organometallic compounds has generated interest in its physiological role as a metalloprotein and as a vehicle for synthetic biology applications (e.g., synthetic blood and solar energy conversion). HSA has been shown to bind metallo-porphyrins, however, the structural details of such interactions are available only for the HSA:heme complex. A typical challenge for studying the interaction of proteins with metalloporphyrins is the poor solubility of the ligands that affect the characterization the complexes. The manuscript shows that a combination of dialysis and centrifugation yields aqueous solutions that contain >90% HSA:porphyrin complexes and virtually eliminate aggregated ligands. The removal of aggregates increases the quality of the optical spectroscopy data which, in turn, yield more accurate binding constants (~0.1 and 2.1 × 106 M-1) and reveal FRET between Trp214 and the porphyrins. The Trp-porphyrin distance was estimated to be within the 28-34 Šrange and was used to guide the search of binding sites through a novel feedback approach with docking simulations. Results suggest while some protoporphyrins (metal-free, Fe(III)PPIX and Mg(II)PPIX) bind HSA at the heme site, others (Zn(II)PPIX, Mn(III)PPIX and Sn(IV)PPIX) are more likely to bind the Cys34.