Relative rates of reaction of Pt(en)Cl (NH2R)+ with guanosine monophosphate as a function of amino group substituent: Toward efficient labeling of DNA for TEM imaging

► A single Pt atom bound to guanine in a GATC DNA is visualized by TEM. ► The kinetics of binding of Pt complexes to dGMP have been measured. ► Amine tether length is the dominant factor controlling the rate of reaction.