Synthesis And Dna-Cleavage Properties Of Metal Complexes Of 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane (Cyclen) Functionalized With A Pendant Benzocrown Ether

The synthesis and DNA-cleavage properties of a series of novel mononuclear Zn-II, Cu-II, and Co-II complexes 2 of a crown-ether-functionalizcd cyclen ligand is described. The Cu complex 2b displayed the highest catalytic activity towards pUC 19 DNA. The effects of reaction time, complex concentration, and pH were investigated. showing that 2b readily and efficiently converts supercoiled (type I) plasmid DNA to nicked (type II) DNA under physiological conditions (37 degrees, pH 7.4).