NOVEL METAL ION COMPLEXES FOR THE CRYSTALLISATION OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES AND FOR DETERMINING THE CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE THEREOF

摘要

The invention relates to novel neutral or cationic ligand-metal ion complexes formed by a metal ion selected from among the transition or post-transition metals, excluding lanthanide ions Ln³+, and a ligand having one of the formulae (IA), (IB), (IC), (ID), (IE), (IF), wherein n, R₂, R₄, R₁ and R_1' are as defined in claim 1, as well as their salts with an anion when the complex is cationic, solvates and hydrates. The invention also relates to the use of such a complex in aiding the crystallisation of a biological macromolecule, as well as the crystals derived from a biological macromolecule comprising such a complex.