Binding of [Au(dien)Cl]Cl2 to Tripeptides

Gold(Ill) is isoelectronic (5d8) and often isostructuml (square-planar) with Pt(ll) and might form the basis of active anticancer agents [1]. However little is known about the biochemistry of Au(lll), a subject also of interest in connection with the side-effects of antiarthritic gold drugs [2]. In this work we have explored the binding of [Au(lll)(diethylenetriamine)CI]CI2 to tripeptides over the pH range 2-10.