Dicopper(II) complexes showing DNA hydrolase activity and monomeric adduct formation with bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate

► The subject area is bioinorganic chemistry of nucleic acids related to nucleases. ► Hydroxo-acetato bridged dicopper(II) complexes are efficient synthetic nucleases. ► DNA hydrolysis rate has been evaluated under true Michaelis-Menten conditions. ► The hydrolytic rates compare well with those known for synthetic metallonucleases.