Efficient syntheses of artificial nucleases containing mono-, di- and tri-[12]aneN3 ligating units through click chemistry

Mono-, di-, and tri-nucleating [12]aneN3 ligands 3–5 have been efficiently prepared through the copper-mediated click reactions between propargyl modified [12]aneN3 2 and mono-, bis-, and tri-azido compounds. Their corresponding zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes showed excellent catalytic activity and strong synergetic effects in the cleavage of RNA model phosphate diester.