Stereospecific intra-molecular interligand interactions affecting base-specific metal bonding to purine nucleobases in the solid state

Metal ions play a key role in nucleic acid structure and activity. The elucidation of factors/rules that govern the binding of metal ions is therefore an essential step for the better understanding of nucleic acid functions. In this review, we deal with stereospecific intra-molecular interligand interactions as such a factor, involving hydrogen-bonding, electrostatic interaction, and steric constraints, especially focusing on their significance as a factor that could affect base-specific metal bonding to adenine and guanine bases in the solid state.

► Metal binding patterns of adenine/guanine bases in the solid state are overviewed. ► Metal coordination sites/geometries and interligand interactions are examined. ► Interligand interactions affecting base-specific metal bonding are exemplified. ► A strategy for designing base-specific metal bonding is presented.