Bioorganometallic chemistry: Structural diversity of organometallic complexes with bioligands and molecular recognition studies of several supramolecular hosts with biomolecules, alkali-metal ions, and organometallic pharmaceuticals

Bioorganometallic chemistry, a nascent area of organometallic chemistry, has recently provided significant advancements in structural diversity and molecular recognition studies. This review shows the various novel structures with bioligands of other colleagues, as well as those from our own studies. In addition, molecular recognition, the cornerstone of how biological systems operate, has now been extended to organometallic, supramolecular host molecules with biologically important guest compounds, including organometallic ionophores for selective recognition of alkali-metal ions. This host-guest molecular recognition chemistry with biologically important compounds occurs by noncovalent interactions, which encompass pi-pi, hydrophobic, and selective hydrogen bonding. The advent of organometallic pharmaceuticals has further provided unique molecular recognition/computer docking studies with hormone receptor sites that clearly delineate novel, noncovalent processes. The future looks extremely promising for bioorganometallic chemistry with regard to structural diversity and host-guest chemistry, including noncovalent interactions of organometallic pharmaceuticals with receptor site proteins to delineate mode of action.