Coordination compounds in medicinal chemistry

In medicinal chemistry metal complexes as pharmaceuticals have received limited attention compared with organic compounds. Much of the attention has been given to Pt(II) complexes that inhibit tumor growth, but a widely applicable target for development of metal complexes as pharmaceuticals has emerged from new perspectives of enzymes in disease processes. In this review we look at work involving the development of Fe(II). Pt(II), and Ti(IV) complexes as pharmaceuticals, and what this work reveals about transport of metal compounds across cell membranes and future roles for metallo-drugs. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.