Catalysis of phosphodiester transesterification by Cu(II)-terpyridine complexes with peripheral pendent base groups: Implications for the mechanism

In this paper we show that in phosphodiester transesterification catalyzed by copper(II)-terpyridine complexes both the metal-bound hydroxyl group and the peripheral pendent tertiary amino groups can provide general base catalysis. At neutral pH the pendent amino groups dominate the process because the metal-bound hydroxyl group is protonated. However, the metal-bound hydroxyl group is more effective at high pH, probably due to its higher basicity and/or closer location to the bound substrate. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd.