Cleavage of models for RNA mediated by a diZn(II) complex of bis[1,4-N1,N1′(1,5,9-triazacyclododecanyl)]butane in methanol and ethanol

The cleavage of seven RNA model 2-hydroxypropyl aryl phosphates (1) catalyzed by a dinuclear Zn(II) complex of bis[1,4-N1,N1′(1,5,9-triazacyclododecanyl)]butane (4) was studied in methanol and ethanol at 25 °C under pH controlled conditions. The results are compared with what was reported earlier for the dinuclear Zn(II) complex of the lower homologue bis[1,3-N1,N1′(1,5,9-triazacyclododecanyl)]propane (3). In methanol, the higher homologue exhibits saturation binding with substrates having poor aryloxy leaving groups. With good leaving groups there is an observed linear dependence of kobs versus complex concentration without saturation binding over the catalyst concentration range investigated. In ethanol, strong saturation binding between the active form of the catalyst ((RO–):Zn(II)2:4) and all substrates is observed, the results observed in both solvents being similar to what was reported for the lower (RO–):Zn(II)2:3 homologue. Energetics calculations are presented for the (RO–):Zn(II)2:4-catalyzed cleavage of each substrate in both solvents to assess the catalytic efficiency via the ΔΔG‡ for catalyst binding a transition state comprising [RO–:1]‡ or its kinetic equivalent.