A Review on N-Ortho-Hydroxymethyl Benzyl Valine and Its 4d Metal Complexes; and Their Biological and Spectroscopic Properties

This review paper focuses on the development and applications of metal-based coordination compounds, particularly those involving N-ortho-hydroxymethyl benzyl valine (N-OHMBV) as a ligand. The ability of N-OHMBV to coordinate with transition metals such as ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), and cadmium (Cd) results in the formation of complexes with notable biological activities, including anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, and enzyme-inhibitory effects. These complexes exhibit promising therapeutic potential, and their mechanisms of action are primarily influenced by the coordination environment and the interaction between the metal center and N-OHMBV’s functional groups. Spectroscopic techniques, including infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, provide crucial insights into the structural features of these metal-ligand complexes, which is important for understanding their biological efficacy. The paper reviews the synthesis, coordination properties, biological activities, and spectroscopic characterization of N-OHMBV-metal complexes, underscoring their potential in drug design and therapeutic applications.