Unsymmetric dinucleating ligands for metallobiosite modelling

Awareness of the asymmetric nature of numerous dinuclear metallobiosites and of the ability of the individual metal ions to have quite distinct roles in the functioning of the metalloenzyme concerned has led to a search for carefully designed unsymmetric dinucleating ligands that will give dinuclear complexes capable of acting as models for the metallobiosites. This review surveys progress made in the design and synthesis of complexes capable of serving as models for donor atom, coordination number and geometric asymmetries found at dinuclear metal centres.