Metal-binding in chelation therapy: X-ray crystal structure of a copper(I)–copper(II) complex of D-penicillamine
Abstract
The purple complex formed by copper with D-penicillamine at physiological pH is shown to be a [CuI8CuII6L12Cl]5– cluster [L =–S-C(Me2)–CH(NH2)CO2–] in which the eight S3-co-ordinated CuI atoms surround a central chloride ion; each of the six CuII atoms is N2S2- co-ordinated by two chelating L ligands whose carboxygroups are on the surface of the cluster.