Artificial metallo-DNA: structural control and discrete metal assembly.

Abstract

To array Cu2+ ions within a double-stranded DNA along the helix axis in a controllable manner, a series of artificial oligonucleotides, d(5'-GHnC-3') (n = 1-5), were synthesized, where H is a hydroxypyridone nucleobase. Right-handed double helices of the oligonucleotides, nCu2+ x d(5'-GHnC-3')2 (n = 1-5), were quantitatively formed through Cu2+-mediated metallo-base pairing (H-Cu2+-H). The Cu2+ ions incorporated into each duplex were aligned along the helix axes with the Cu2+-Cu2+ distance of 3.7 +/- 0.1 A. The unpaired d electrons of the Cu2+ ions were coupled ferromagnetically with one another to form magnetic chains.