Reaction between [Pt(ophen)Cl-2] and HIS was monitored and the solvolysis (k(1)) and Cl/HIS ligand exchange (k(2)) rate constants obtained. The k(1) and k(2) were (6.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(-5) s(-1) and 52.8 x 10(-2) M-1 s(-1), respectively. The corresponding calculated values were 47.5 x 10(-5) s(-1) and 52.2 x 10(-2) M-1 s(-1), in agreement with the experiment. Calculations were used to establish the reactivity order for a set of amino acids: MET similar to LYS similar to HIS(epsilon) > GLU similar to ASP >> ASN similar to GLN. In spite of the similar reactivity among MET, LYS and HIS, the thermodynamics suggests the reactions with LYS and HIS more favorable than with MET. Therefore, N-containing amino acids should be potential targets of Pt(II)-complexes in beta-amyloid. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.