Why does hydroxytyrosol form complexes with metal ions?

Hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol found in olive oil and other plant sources, can form complexes with metal ions due to its ability to chelate or bind to metal ions through its hydroxyl functional groups.hydroxytyrosol manufacturer.

Chelation involves the formation of a coordination complex in which the metal ion is surrounded by a ring of ligands, which in this case are hydroxytyrosol molecules. The hydroxyl groups on the hydroxytyrosol molecule can donate electrons to the metal ion, forming a coordinate covalent bond.

This chelation process is favored by metal ions with high positive charges and small ionic radii, as they have a stronger attraction for the electron-donating hydroxyl groups on the hydroxytyrosol molecule. This complexation process can result in the formation of stable metal-hydroxytyrosol complexes, which have been shown to exhibit various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

The formation of metal-hydroxytyrosol complexes can have important implications in various fields, including food science, medicine, and environmental chemistry. For example, these complexes can act as antioxidants and help to prevent the formation of harmful free radicals in the body. They may also have potential applications in metal ion sensing and removal from contaminated water sources.