Modeling the Catalytic Site of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase:  Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a [Bis(thioimidazolyl)(pyrazolyl)hydroborato]zinc Complex, [HB(tim^Me)₂pz]ZnI

Abstract

The tripodal bis(thioimidazolyl)(pyrazolyl)hydroborato [NSS] donor ligand, [HB(timMe)2pz]-, has been synthesized by the sequential reaction of LiBH4 with methimazole and pyrazole. Importantly, the ligand binds to zinc in a manner which resembles the coordination of the histidine and cysteine residues at the active site of liver alcohol dehydrogenase.