When two metal centres are needed instead of one: exclusive induction of Z-DNA by dinuclear metal complexes

Abstract

The B- to Z-DNA transition was very efficiently induced by dinuclear nickel and copper complexes based on the 1,3-bis(1,5,9-triazacyclododecyl) propane ligand but not by the corresponding mononuclear complexes. This dramatically different behaviour is explained by the formation of a macrochelate of the dinuclear complexes to the DNA.