Bioinorganic and Environmental Chemistry

Many biochemical reactions depend on the presence of metal ions. These ions may be present in specific coordination complexes or may act to facilitate or inhibit reactions in solution. In the first part of this chapter, we describe a few of these compounds and reactions, together with the biochemistry of NO, which has many functions that have only recently been discovered. 

Many metals are essential to plant and animal life, although in many cases their role is uncertain. The list includes all the first-row transition metals except scandium and titanium, but only molybdenum and perhaps tungsten from the heavier transition metals. Table 16-1 lists several that are important in mammalian biochemistry. The importance of iron is obvious from the number of roles it plays, from oxygen carrier in hemoglobin and myoglobin to electron carrier in the cytochromes to detoxifying agent in catalase and peroxidase. 

How do inorganic compounds and ions help cause biochemical reactions A partial list of their actions is given here, most related to metal ion complexes. 

Fe (heme) Hemoglobin, peroxidase, catalase, cytochrome P-450, tryptophan dioxygenase, cytochrome c, nitrite reductase 

Fe (non-heme) Pyrocatechase, ferredoxin, hemerythrin, transferrin, aconitase, nitrogenase 

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Ryszard Lobinski Research Director at the CNRS Laboratory of Analytical Bioinorganic and Environmental Chemistry, Pau... 

This thematic issue focuses on homogeneous biomimetic oxidation catalysis. I have invited Professor Jan Reedijk (Leiden University, The Netherlands) to be the co-editor of this volume, since he has an active interest in this area and edited a monograph on Bioinorganic Catalysis in 1999. Jan Reedijk is a well-known coordination chemist for his wide interest in transition-metal chemistry and its application in biological and environmental processes. 

Maines MD, Kappas A (1976) Studies on the mechanism of induction of haem oxygenase by colbalt and other metal ions. Biochem J 154 125-131 Marquis J (1989) Neurotoxicity of aluminum. In Lewis TE (ed) Environmental chemistry and toxicology of aluminum. Lewis, Chelsea, MI, pp 289-298 Martin RB (1988) Bioinorganic chemistry of aluminum. In Sigel H (ed) Metal ions in biological systems, vol 24. Dekker, New York, pp 1-58 Martin RB (1992) Aluminum speciation in biology. In Chadwick DJ, Whelan J (eds) Aluminum in biology and medicine. Wiley, New York, pp 5-25 (Ciba foundation symposium 169)... 

The problems addressed by inorganic chemistry continue to be challenges well into the twenty-first century. For example, coordination chemistry will continue to provide compounds with unusual properties and uses, and will become an increasingly important component in bioinorganic chemistry. Organometallic chemistry will continue as one of the most active areas of catalysis research, especially in the chemical, energy, pharmaceuticals, and pollution control industries. New methods to meet the needs of the production of inorganic chemicals will involve environmental friendly synthesis (Navratil, 1998). 

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