Model studies of trialkyltin–protein interactions: 13C NMR analysis of solution equilibria of the complex between trimethyltin and methyl N-benzoyl-l-leucyl-l-histidinate

¹³C NMR spectra for the 1:1 complex between methyl N-benzoyl-l-leucyl-l-histidinate and the trimethyltin moiety in d-chloroform (CDC1₃), d₄-methanol (CD₃OD) dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and d₆-DMSO/H₂O solvents are reported, and contrasted with those for the free ligand. The spectra are interpreted in terms of a variety of solution equilibria illustrating the nature of the interaction between the trimethyltin species and primarily the imidazole ring of the histidine residue. Evidence for the preferential stability of pentacoordinate solution structures about tin is presented.