An unlikely DNA cleaving agent: A photo-active trinuclear Cu(II) complex based on hexaazatriphenylene

A tri-nuclear Cu(II) complex containing a central, negatively charged 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene-hexacarboxylate core photocleaves plasmid DNA in 98% to 99% yield at low micromolar concentrations of complex (350 nm, 22 °C, pH 7.0). The cleavage process involves the generation of Cu(I) and hydroxyl radicals.115