An artificial metalloribonuclease based on Cu(II)-terpyridine complex attached to poly(ethylenimine)

Catalytic activity of Cu(II) ion complexed to terpyridine in hydrolysis of polyadenylic acid is considerably enhanced upon attachment to poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), especially at pH 6.5. This is attributed to cationic microenvironments created on PEI backbone and, possibly, to the general acid action of the ammonium ions of PEI.