Some Notes on Model Compounds

Kenneth Suslick has written several pertinent statements about the study of metalloproteins and their model compounds. This paradigm will guide the study of the varied bioinorganic systems described in this chapter. Additions to Suslick s statement in point 2 stress the importance of modern structural analysis (X-ray crystallography, EXAFS, EPR, and two- and three-dimensional high-held NMR) of the purihed metalloproteins and their model compounds. As paraphrased from reference 19, the following statements outline the steps involved in the study of metalloproteins  

Isolation and purification of the metalloprotein. For instance, Hb was first crystallized in 1849, its physiological purpose of oxygen transport was recognized by 1864, and its molecular weight and primary amino acid sequence was known by 1930. 

Characterization of structural, spectroscopic, and reactivity properties of model compounds—that is, metal cofactor small-molecule analogs. 

Comparisons between the protein and the analogs to reveal new structure-function relationships. 

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