Dear Colleagues,

Amino acids and peptide ligands of metal complexes have, over the years, been established as versatile ligands with a range of various possibilities, including derivatization. These complexes provide access to compounds that display interesting stereochemistry including chirality. The synthesis and characterization of the classical natural amino acids and small peptides are well-established. However, in more recent times, focus has been more directed towards their mixed ligand complexes than on the traditional type of complexes and their various chemical and biological abilities.

The possibilities presented by peptides and amino acids metal-based complexes as pharmaceuticals are enormous. These include selectivity and affinity for the binding site, ability to fine-tune the complexes towards better reactivity and enhanced bioavailability on complexation. This gives peptide- and amino acid metal-based therapeutic agents the potential to have few side effects. Side effects and resistance have unfortunately been the bane of some drugs currently in the market. Efforts are, as a consequence, required to obtain new potent compounds as therapeutic agents with more plausible less side effects.

This Special Issue is therefore not to be deemed as viewing one complex as superior to the other, but rather as an attempt to provide information on various amino acid- and peptide-based metal complexes and their activity, thus contributing to the fast paced growing body of knowledge in this field by demonstrating their capabilities in various spheres of inorganic chemistry as well as the world of science as a whole. Both review and original research articles are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Takashiro Akitsu
Guest Editor

Dr. Temitayo O. Aiyelabola
Guest Editor Assistant

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• metal-based drugs
• amino acids complexes
• peptide/derivative metal-based complexes
• bioinorganic chemistry
• computational chemistry
• metalloenzyme inhibition
• coordination compounds