Mesityl phenanthroline-modified 2′-deoxyuridine for heteroleptic complexes in metal ion-mediated assembly of DNA

Abstract

The synthesis of a new DNA building block that bears the metal ion ligand 2,9-bis-mesityl-3-ethynyl-phenanthroline attached to the 5-position of 2′-deoxyuridine is presented. In the presence of Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Ni²⁺ the complex formation of an accordingly modified DNA double strand with a second DNA duplex bearing the 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligand was studied by optical spectroscopy. The selective formation of heteroleptic assemblies between the two different DNA pieces was evidenced by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.