X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies of metal centres in biology and developments of relevant synthetic analogues

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used extensively to probe the local environment of transition metal centres in biological systems. The synergy between such XAS studies and co-ordination chemistry is well developed. Examples where XAS studies of metal centres in biological systems have stimulated developments in coordination chemistry include Amavadin and representatives of the oxymolybdoenzymes. Bond Valence Sum Analysis, using structural information available for co-ordination complexes, is a useful tool to inspect the structure obtained from XAS and/or protein crystallography for a d-transition metal site in a biological system.