Nitric oxide complexes of metalloporphyrins: an overview of some mechanistic studies

This review presents an overview of the mechanistic chemistry concerned with the reactions of metalloporphyrins involving the bioregulatory molecule nitric oxide. Topics discussed include the photolabilization of NO from metal nitrosyl complexes, the formation and dissociation of M-NO bonds, reductive nitrosylation of ferriheme proteins and oxidations of NO by dioxygen. Principal emphasis is given to porphyrin complexes of the first transition row metals and especially of iron(II) and iron(III). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.