Nickel(II) complexes as functional urease mimics

CHED 1199

Eric V. Mittelstaedt, evm10@albion.edu and Amy E. Beilstein, abeilstein@albion.edu. Chemistry Department, Albion College, 611 E. Porter St, Albion, MI 49224
Urease is an enzyme found in various bacteria, fungi, and plants that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea. It has also been shown to catalyze the hydrolysis of small amides to their corresponding carboxylic acids. We are interested in synthesizing and characterizing nickel complexes that are capable of mimicking urease's function. Here, we present our progress toward the synthesis of functional urease mimics, beginning with the synthesis of polydentate ligands containing a variety of chemical functional groups.