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Molecular recognition of amino acids in the solid state: A mixed Cu(II) complex and co-cocrystals with urea and pyridine derivatives

The research of solid metalo-organic compounds has led to numerous developments concerning both industrial and bioinspired processes [1]. Such materials provide a rigidified surrounding needed for selective binding of metal ions and can even result in binding affinities comparable to those found in bio-systems [2]. In that context, the use of bioavailable compounds, such as amino acids, represents a sustainable approach to better understanding of processes involving metal ions in different metalloproteins [3]. Recently, we have studied the binding of copper(II) ions with a selected group of amino acids (His, Asn, Gln, Pro, Trp) in a series of competitive milling experiments. Although every amino acid readily forms complexes with Cu(II) ions, there are subtle differences in binding affinities when copper(II) salts are ground with binary mixtures of amino acids. In certain conditions, a new class of products, probably mixed complexes were obtained (other possibilities are not excluded yet). Herein we present a rare case of a mixed Cu(II) complex with Pro and His. Additionally, we have investigated the ability of urea and pyridine derivatives (such as 4, 4’-bipyridine, 1, 3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)urea (4-apyu) and urea) to enhance otherwise difficult crystallization of the prepared complexes.

amino-acid ; co-crystal ; molecular recognition

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