Transition metals biological functions

This chapter discusses the transition metal catalyzed functionalization of such systems that fall outside the topic of Chapters 6 and 7, as well as certain other compound classes (e.g. purines, pyrones). In contrast to the abundant literature of the chemistry of five and six membered systems, the transition metal catalyzed transformations of other heterocycles have not been studied so far in the same depth, probably due to the limited availability of their halogen derivatives compared to haloazines and haloazoles. Purine compounds and their structural analogues constitute an exception, since their biological importance proved to be a strong drive for synthetic chemist worldwide.1... 

The transition metal cross-couplings of allenes described here offer practical solutions for the modification of 1,2-dienes and access to the preparation of highly functionalized 1,3-dienes, alkynes and alkenes, which are often not easily accessible in a regio- and stereoselective manner by classical methods. Some of the prepared alkynes or functionalized allenes serve as important intermediates in syntheses of natural products, biologically active compounds, e.g. enynes and enyne-allenes, and new materials. It can be predicted that further synthetic efforts will surely be focused on new applications of allenes in transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. 

Metals in biological systems function in a number of different ways. Group 1 and 2 metals operate as structural elements or in the maintenance of charge and osmotic balance (Table 1.2). Transition metal ions that exist in single oxidation states, such as zinc(II), function as structural elements in superoxide dismutase and zinc fingers, or, as an example from main group +2 ions, as triggers for protein activity—that is, calcium ions in calmodulin or troponin C... 

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