ABSTRACT

This chapter, completed in March 1999, summarizes research literature published through late January of that year. The purpose of the chap­ ter is to illustrate where model compounds have been used to enhance our understanding of manganese redox enzymes. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) and man­ ganese catalase. The general approach will be to present the available biophysical data on the enzymes and to show how model complexes have been useful in interpreting these studies. Therefore, it is not the intent of the authors to provide an exhaustive review of the literature. Rather we hope to highlight how synthetic model studies, in conjunction with

biochemical and biophysical investigations, can lead to reasonable pro­ posals for structure and mechanism in these systems. The interested reader is directed to recent review articles on model compounds, man­ ganese catalase, and the OEC that are found elsewhere in this book and in other reviews for more detailed coverage of these systems.