On the interaction of copper(II) complexes Cu(Gly)<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>0</SUP>, Cu(Bipy)Gly<SUP>+</SUP> and Cu(Bipy)<SUB>2</SUB><SUP&am

The interaction of three copper(II) complexes — Cu(Gly)20, Cu(Bipy)22+, and Cu(Bipy)Gly+ — with glutathione in aqueous solution (pH 7.4, 0.2 M NaCl, 25°C, сCu = (1–10) × 10–4, сGSH = 1.0 × 10–3 M) was studied. These and similar complexes are often used in biological experiments to test anticancer and antimicrobial activity. It was shown that under physiological conditions copper(II) complexes are almost irreversibly converted into a more stable form of copper(I) thiolate complexes. The individuality of the initial complexes is completely lost. In all cases, the redox interaction of the copper(II) complexes with glutathione was rapid and quantitative. The main products were copper(I) bisthiolate complex and glutathione disulfide.