Selective syntheses of partially etherified derivatives of tetrakis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethene. An alternative to the calix[4]arene ligand system

Stereoselective syntheses of (E)- and (Z)-1,2-bis(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-bis(2'-methoxyphenyl)ethene have been developed, the former by convergent coupling of an orthogonally protected 2,2'-benzophenone derivative and the latter by selective partial dealkylation of tetrakis(2-methoxyphenyl)ethene. Selective single demethylation has also been demonstrated in the 5-tert-butyl series. Thus, divalent and monovalent derivatives of the preorganized tetrakis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethene ligand system are now available for use in coordination chemistry, analogous to corresponding calix[4]arene systems. [structure: see text]     

Synthesis of sterically hindered ortho-substituted tetraphenylethenes. Electronic effects in the McMurry olefination reaction

[reaction: see text] Contrary to literature consensus, the McMurry olefination reaction can be extended to the direct synthesis of sterically encumbered tetrakis(2-substituted) tetraphenylethenes from the corresponding 2,2'-disubstituted benzophenones. The reaction exploits previously unrecognized substrate-based electronic effects that dominate over otherwise controlling steric considerations and provides highly efficient access to derivatives of tetrakis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethene, a novel preorganized ligand system for polymetallic coordination chemistry and catalysis.     

Ortho-silylated derivatives of tetrakis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethene: a sterically isolated structural model for oxo-surface binding domains

The introduction of sterically isolating ortho-trialkylsilyl, -aryldialkylsilyl, and -diarylalkylsilyl substituents onto the structurally preorganized tetrakis(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethene ligand framework has been accomplished by a 4-fold retro-Brook rearrangement. Installation of the most sterically demanding silyl substituents required the development of an iterative procedure, involving successive double silylation/metalation/migration sequences without the isolation of intermediates. This system was designed to function as a soluble structural model for the planar binding domains of heterogeneous "oxo-surfaces" of silica and alumina supports.     

(Amidomethyl)pyridine zirconium and hafnium complexes: Synthesis and structural characterization

A series of 2-formyl and 2-acetylpyridines was condensed with 2,6-diisopropylaniline to yield the corresponding imines. Their reaction with sodium borohydride gave the respective N-arylaminomethylpyridines. Treatment of the N-arylformimino- or -acetiminopyridines with trimethylaluminum followed by hydrolysis furnished a series of the respective substituted N-arylaminoethylpyridine derivatives. Their reaction with tetrabenzylzirconium or tetrakis(dimethylamido)zirconium or -hafnium gave the corresponding (chelate ligand)MX₃ systems in a variety of cases. Some of these gave very active ethene polymerization catalysts upon activation with methylalumoxane. Six of the neutral aminoalkylpyridines were characterized by X-ray diffraction, as were eight of the zirconium or hafnium complexes and two aluminum chelate complex systems.     

Ester versus polyketone formation in the palladium-diphosphine catalyzed carbonylation of ethene

The origin of the chemoselectivity of palladium catalysts containing bidentate phosphine ligands toward either methoxycarbonylation of ethene or the copolymerization of ethene and carbon monoxide was investigated using density functional theory based calculations. For a palladium catalyst containing the electron-donating bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) ligand, the rate determining step for chain propagation is shown to be the insertion of ethene into the metal-acyl bond. The high barrier for chain propagation is attributed to the low stability of the ethene intermediate, (dmpe)Pd(ethene)(C(O)CH3). For the competing methanolysis process, the most likely pathway involves the formation of (dmpe)Pd(CH3OH)(C(O)CH3) via dissociative ligand exchange, followed by a solvent mediated proton-transfer/reductive- elimination process. The overall barrier for this process is higher than the barrier for ethene insertion into the palladium-acetyl bond, in line with the experimentally observed preference of this type of catalyst toward the formation of polyketone. Electronic bite angle effects on the rates of ethene insertion and ethanoyl methanolysis were evaluated using four electronically and sterically related ligands (Me)2P(CH2)nP(Me)2 (n = 1-4). Steric effects were studied for larger tert-butyl substituted ligands using a QM/MM methodology. The results show that ethene coordination to the metal center and subsequent insertion into the palladium-ethanoyl bond are disfavored by the addition of steric bulk around the metal center. Key intermediates in the methanolysis mechanism, on the other hand, are stabilized because of electronic effects caused by increasing the bite angle of the diphosphine ligand. The combined effects explain successfully which ligands give polymer and which ones give methyl propionate as the major products of the reaction.     

High-nuclearity homoleptic and heteroleptic coordination cages based on tetra-capped truncated tetrahedral and cuboctahedral metal frameworks

Two new types of coordination cage have been prepared and structurally characterized: [M16(mu-L1)24]X32 are based on a tetra-capped truncated tetrahedral core and have a bridging ligand L1 along each of the 24 edges; [M12(mu-L1)12(mu3-L2)4]X24 are based on a cuboctahedral core which is supported by a combination of face-capping ligands L2 and edge-bridging ligands L1. The difference between the two illustrates how combinations of ligands with different coordination modes can generate coordination cages which are not available using one ligand type on its own.     

Mono- and dinuclear zinc complexes derived from unsymmetric binucleating ligands: synthesis, characterization, and formation of tetranuclear arrays

Zinc complexes of the unsymmetric, binucleating Schiff base ligands 3-(N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]iminomethyl)-salicylic acid (H2L1) and 3-[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)iminomethyl]-salicylic acid (H2L2) have been studied in the solid state as well as in solution. Reaction of ZnX2 (X = NO3-, CH3CO2-) with 3-formylsalicylic acid and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine at neutral or slightly acidic pH afforded the dinuclear complexes [Zn2(HL1)2(H2O)2](NO3)2.2H2O (1a) and [Zn2(HL1)2(CH3CO2)2].6H2O (1b). The Zn ions, which are 3.126(1) A (1a) and 3.2665(7) A (1b) apart, are bridged by two phenolate oxygens. Further coordination sites of the ligand are the imine nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen, while the amino nitrogen is protonated. On dissolution in DMSO or DMF, 1a and 1b are converted into the mononuclear species [Zn(HL1)]+. Cleavage of the dinuclear complexes is accompanied by migration of the ammonium proton to the carboxylate group and coordination of the amino nitrogen to Zn. Reaction of 1b with base yielded the novel tetranuclear Zn complex [Zn4(L1)4].6.5H2O (2) that exhibits coordination number asymmetry. The four Zn ions having N2O3 and N2O4 coordination environments are located at the corners of a nearly square-planar rectangle. H2L2 binds Zn via the phenolate oxygen and, imine and pyridine nitrogens in acidic solution. Deprotonation of the carboxyl group in alkaline solution gave the tetranuclear compound [Zn4(L2)4].4.5H2O (4) with a cubane-like Zn4O4 core.     

Protein detection and quantitation by tetraphenylethene-based fluorescent probes with aggregation-induced emission characteristics

Three functionalized derivatives of tetraphenylethylene (TPE), namely, 1,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-diphenylethene (1), 1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-diphenylethene (2), and 1,2-bis[4-(3-sulfonatopropoxyl)phenyl]-1,2-diphenylethene sodium salt (3), were synthesized and their fluorescence properties were investigated. All the TPE molecules are nonluminescent in the solution state but are induced to emit efficiently by aggregate formation. This novel process of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is rationalized to be caused by the restriction of intramolecular rotations of the dye molecules in the aggregate state. The possibility of utilizing the AIE effect for protein detection and quantification is explored using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, with salt 3 being found to perform as a stable, sensitive, and selective bioprobe.     

Conformationally rigid chelate rings in metal complexes of pyridyloxy-substituted 2,2'-dioxybiphenyl-cyclotetra- and cyclotriphosphazene platforms

Divalent metal halides react with pyridyloxy-substituted 2,2'-dioxybiphenyl-cyclotri- and cyclotetraphosphazene ligands to form the complexes, [MLX2] [M=Co or Cu; L=(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)tetrakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L1) or (2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)tetrakis(4-methyl-2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L2); X=Cl or Br], [ZnLCl2] [L=bis(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)bis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L3) or bis(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)bis(4-methyl-2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L4)], [MLCl2] [M=Cu or Hg; L=tris(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)bis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotetraphosphazene (L5)] and [Cu2LCl4] (L=trans-bis(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)tetrakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotetraphosphazene (L6)]. Single-crystal X-ray structures show the L2 ligand complexes to have a N3Cl2 five-coordinate, trigonal-bipyramidal donor set with the phosphazene ring and pendant pyridyloxy nitrogens binding to the metal ions. The coordinated L2 ligand in the complex, [CoL2Cl2], slowly hydrolyses in acetonitrile with the loss of a pyridine pendant arm to form a dimetallic species, which has been characterized by crystallography as [{CoL2aCl}]2.4MeCN (L2a=[N3P3(biph)(OPy)3(O)]-, biph=2,2'-dioxybiphenyl, OPy=2-oxopyridine). The ligands, L3, L4, L5, and L6, bind to the metal halides via gem-substituted pyridyloxy nitrogens only. The resulting rigid eight-membered chelate rings all have distorted boat conformations, which force distorted-tetrahedral N2Cl2 coordination environments onto the metal ions. The spectroscopic (ESR and electronic) and magnetic properties of the complexes are reported.     

Sterically demanding diporphyrin ligands and rhodium(II) porphyrin bimetalloradical complexes

A series of sterically demanding diporphyrins H2(por)-X-(por)H2 ligands that contain spacers (X) with different degrees of flexibility were synthesized from the trimesitylporphyrin derivatives 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-trimesitylporphyrin (TMP-OH)H2 (1a) and 5-(2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-trimesityl-porphyrin, (DMTMP-OH)H2 (1b). The monomeric porphyrins 1a,b, which have steric demands similar to that of tetramesitylporphyrin, (TMP)H2, and carry a hydroxyl functional group at the para position of one of the mesophenyl substituents, were constructed from reaction of pyrrole with two aromatic aldehydes by a mixed aldehyde condensation approach. The diporphyrins with alkyl diether tethers were obtained stepwise from reactions of the hydroxy functionalized porphyrins 1a,b with dibromides Br(CH2)nBr. The diporphyrin which contains a more rigid m-xylylene spacer, was made directly from reaction of 1b with alpha,alpha'-dibromo-m-xylene. Rhodium was inserted into the porphyrins using Rh2(CO)2Cl2 and converted to dimethyl complexes Me-Rh(Por)-X-(Por)Rh-Me. The dirhodium(II) derivatives .Rh(por)-X-(por)Rh.) were generated by photolysis of the dimethyl complexes and observed to occur as stable bimetalloradicals because the ligand steric demands prohibit Rh(II)-Rh(II) bonding. EPR spectra of the dirhodium(II) derivatives, triphenyl phospine adducts, and dioxygen complexes are reported. The kinetic advantage of bimetalloradical complexes for substrate reactions that have two metal-centered radicals in the transition state is demonstrated by reactions of dihydrogen with dirhodium(II) bimetalloradical complexes.     

Synthese und Struktur des Kupferkomplexes 2-(2-Hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-6-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridinato(2−)-dipyridin-kupfer(II) und des freien Liganden

Synthesis and Structure of the Copper Complex 2-(2-Hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-6-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridinato(2?)dipyridin-copper(II) and of the free Ligand The tridentate diacidic ligand 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl)-6-phenyl-6-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridine 4a was synthesized and characterized by X-ray structural analysis. The compound forms a copper complex, 2-(2-Hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)-6-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridinato(2?)-dipyridine copper(II), which was crystallized from pyridine solution. The coordination number of the central atom copper ist five.     

Trithiacyclononane as a ligand for potential technetium and rhenium radiopharmaceuticals: synthesis of [M(9S3)(SC2H4SC2H4S)][BF4] (M = 99Tc, Re, 188Re) via C-S bond cleavage

Chemical or electrochemical reduction of the 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane (9S3) complexes [MII(9S3)2][BF4]2 (M = Re (3a) or Tc (3b)) results in instantaneous C-S bond cleavage to yield ethene and the stable MIII thiolate complexes [MIII(9S3)L][BF4] (M = Re (4a) or Tc (4b), L = SCH2CH2SCH2CH2S). Compounds 4 have been characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, and the pseudo-octahedral geometry of 4b has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Upon electrochemical reduction 4a loses ethene, while 4b can be reversibly reduced to [TcII(9S3)L], which is then further reduced to Tc(I) with loss of ethene. Successive ethene loss is observed in the mass spectra of compounds 3 and 4. The radiosynthesis of 4a with 188Re can be comfortably completed within 10 min starting with 188ReO4- from a 188W/188Re generator, with a radiochemical yield in excess of 90%, and thus represents a practical approach to the preparation of stable 188Re (and 99mTc) thioether complex derivatives/conjugates for clinical use. Crystal data: 4b, C10H20S6Tc, orthorhombic Pbca, a = 12.233(2) A, b = 14.341(2) A, c = 20.726(3) A, Z = 8.     

配位聚合物{[Co(H2O)6][Co(H2O)4(pmts)]·4H2O}n的合成及晶体结构

以均苯四甲酸(pmts)和CoCl2·6H2O为原料,在碱件水溶液中通过水热法合成了配位聚合物{[Co(H2O)6][Co(H2O)4(pmts)]·4H2O}n,并对其进行了红外、紫外-可见吸收光谱和单品X-射线衍射结构测定.结果表明,Co2+分别与桥配体pmts的1,4位羧基氧及端配体水分子中的氧以轻度畸变的八血体...     

2-环己氧羰基乙基三氯化锡及其N,N-二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸配合物的合成与结构表征

合成了2-环己氧羰基乙基三氯化锡及其N,N-二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸配合物,通过元素分析、IR、¹H和 ¹³C NMR及X-射线单晶衍射对其结构进行了表征。化合物2属于单斜晶系,C2/c空间群,晶胞参数为a=1.90867(17)nm,b=0.67885(8)nm,c=3.1902(3)nm,β=97.311(7)°,Z=8,μ=1.715mm^-1,R=0.0334。中心锡原子为含有分子内羰基氧原子和N,N-二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸配体的两个硫原子配位的畸变八面体构型。波谱数据表明化合物1和2存在着分子内羰基氧原子对锡原子的配位,而在化合物3和4中这一配位则被两个或三个双齿二硫代氨基甲酸配体所替代。化合物2的理论研究表明AM1半经验计算可以成功预测这类有机锡化合物的几何构型。     

Enhancement of singlet oxygen generation based on incorporation of oxoporphyrinogen (OxP) into microporous solids

Singlet oxygen, ¹O₂, generating compounds are highly useful for photodynamic therapy or organic oxidative transformations. In this work, the synthesis and photochemical performances for singlet oxygen generation of a range of oxoporphyrinogen-containing porous coordination polymers (OxP-PCPs) are reported. Oxoporphyrinogens, a previously unreported class of singlet oxygen generators derived from the oxidation of the antioxidant-substituted porphyrin tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin, were converted to molecular tectons by the introduction of oligophenylene-carboxylate linkers and incorporated into porous coordination polymers using well-known oxo-Zr(IV)₆ cluster chemistry. Their structures and textural properties were analyzed revealing substantial surface areas up to 650 m² g^?1 for the optimum linker length (biphenylyl). The oxoporphyrinogen precursors exhibit good quantum yields of singlet oxygen generation (up to Φ = 0.37), and a high level of activity is maintained in the resulting coordination polymers, which appear to be superior for singlet oxygen generation to the precursors and to a reported reference material. These OxP-PCP materials were applied for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides. This work demonstrates that the excellent singlet oxygen generator oxoporphyrinogens can be successfully incorporated as porous solids and conveniently applied in heterogeneous oxidative transformations.     

Unexpected ferromagnetic interaction in a new tetranuclear copper(II) complex: synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and theoretical studies

The new tetranuclear carbonate complex [Cu2L)2(CO3)] x 8H2O (1 x 8H2O) (H3L = (2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine) has been obtained by two different synthetic routes and fully characterized. Recrystallization of 1 x 8H2O in methanol yields single crystals of {[(Cu2L)2(CO3)]}2 x 12H2O (1 x 6H2O), suitable for X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure of 1 x 6H2O shows two crystallographically different tetranuclear molecules in the asymmetric unit, 1a and 1b. Both molecules can be understood as self-assembled from two dinuclear [Cu2L]+ cations, joined by a mu4-eta(2):eta(1):eta(1) carbonate ligand. The copper atoms of each crystallographically different [(Cu2L)2(CO3)] molecule present miscellaneous coordination polyhedra: in both 1a and 1b, two metal centers are in square pyramidal environments, one displays a square planar chromophore and the other one has a geometry that can be considered as an intermediate between square pyramid and trigonal bipyramid. Magnetic studies reveal net intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling between the metal atoms. Density functional calculations allow the assignment of the different magnetic coupling constants and explain the unexpected ferromagnetic behavior, because of the presence of an unusual NCN bridging moiety and countercomplementarity of the phenoxo (or carbonate) and NCN bridges.     

Synthesis, characterization, and complexation of tetraarylborates with aromatic cations and their use in chemical sensors

Five aromatic borate anions, namely tetrakis(4-phenoxyphenyl)borate (1), tetrakis(biphenyl)borate (2), tetrakis(2-naphthyl)borate (3), tetrakis(4-phenylphenol)borate (4), and tetrakis(4-phenoxy)borate (5), have been prepared and tested as ion-recognition sites in chemical sensors for certain aromatic cations and metal ions. To gain further insight into the complexation of the cations, some complexes have been prepared and structurally characterized. The complexation behavior of 1 and 2 towards N-methylpyridinium (6), 1-ethyl-4-(methoxycarbonyl)pyridinium (7), tropylium (8), imidazolium (9), and 1-methylimidazolium (10) cations has been studied, and the stability constants of the complexes of 1 with cations 6 and 8 have been measured to compare them with the values for the previously studied complexes of tetraphenylborate. The structures of the borate anions and their complexes have been characterized by NMR and mass spectrometric methods. X-ray crystal structures have been determined for potassium tetrakis(4-phenoxyphenyl)borate (K(+)1), N-methylpyridinium tetrakis(4-phenoxyphenyl)borate (61), 1-ethyl-4-(methoxycarbonyl)pyridinium tetrakis(4-phenoxyphenyl)borate (71), tropylium tetrakis(4-phenoxyphenyl)borate (81), and imidazolium tetrakis(biphenyl)borate (92). The results show that borate derivatives are potential candidates for a completely new family of charged carriers for use in cation-selective electrodes.     

Comeplexes of 1-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzimidazole with U(VI) and Ce(IV)

Some new U(VI) and Ce(IV) complexes of 1-(2′-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzimidazole have been prepared and characterized by spectrg magnetic and conductance studies. IR spectral data suggests that the ligand in all the complexes is monodenate through the tertiary nitrogen and that the phenolic oxygen is free from coordination. Conductivity measurements indicate that the nitrate and acetate complexes of U(VI) are non-electrolytes, whereas the nitrate complex of Ce(IV) is a 1:1 electrolyte.     

New bis-, tris- and tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands with 3-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl substituents: synthesis and coordination chemistry

The new ligands dihydrobis[3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Bp(4py)]-, hydrotris[3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tp(4py)]-, tetrakis[3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tkp(4py)]-, dihydrobis[3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Bp(3py)]-, hydrotris[3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tp(3py)]- and tetrakis[3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate [Tkp(4py)]- are derivatives of the well known bis-, tris- and tetrakis-(pyrazolyl)borate cores, bearing 4-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl substituents attached to the pyrazolyl C3 positions. These pyridyl groups cannot chelate to the metal ions in the poly(pyrazolyl) cavity but are externally directed. Structural studies on a range of metal complexes show how, in many cases, coordination of these pendant pyridyl groups to the M(pyrazolyl)n core of an adjacent metal complex fragment results in formation of coordination oligomers or polymeric networks. [Tl(Bp(3py))], [Tl(Bp(4py))] and [Tl(Tp(4py))] form one-dimensional polymeric chains via coordination of one of their pendant pyridyl units to the Tl(I) centre of an adjacent complex fragment; in contrast, in [Tl(Tp(3py))] coordination of all three pendant pyridyl units to separate Tl(I) neighbours results in formation of a two-dimensional polymeric sheet. In [Tl(Tkp(3py))] and [Tl(Tkp(4py))] the Tl(I) is coordinated by two or three of the four pyrazolyl arms, respectively; bridging interactions of pendant 4-pyridyl groups with adjacent Tl(I) centres result in a two-dimensional sheet forming in each case. In Ag(Tkp(4py)) each Ag(I) ion is coordinated by two pyrazolyl rings, and two bridging pyridyl ligands from other complex units, resulting in a one-dimensional chain consisting of pairs of cross-linked zigzag chains. In contrast to these polymeric coordination networks, the structures of [Cu(Tp(4py))] and [(Tp(3py))Cd(CH3CO2)] are dimers, with a pendant pyridyl residue from the first metal centre attaching to a vacant coordination site on the second, and vice versa; these dimers are stabilised by pi-stacking interactions between sections of the two ligands. [Ni(Tp(3py))2] is monomeric, with an octahedral coordination geometry arising from two tris(pyrazolyl)borate chelates; the array of pendant 3-pyridyl groups is involved only in intramolecular hydrogen-bonding. [(Tp(4py))Re(CO)3] is also monomeric, with a facial arrangement of three pyrazolyl ligands and three carbonyls, with the pendant 4-pyridyl groups not further coordinated. [(Tp(2py))Re(CO)3], based on the related ligand hydrotris[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]borate, has a similar fac-(CO)3(pyrazolyl)3 coordination geometry.     

Heterocyclic substituted thiosemicarbazones and their Cu(II) complexes: Synthesis,characterization and studies of substituent effects on coordination and DNA binding

By reacting thiosemicarbazides substituted on the aminic nitrogen with 5-formyluracil, several new 5-formyluracil thiosemicarbazones (H₃ut) derivatives were synthesised and characterized. These ligands, treated with copper chloride and nitrate, afforded two different kinds of compounds. In the complexes derived from copper chloride the metal atom is pentacoordinated, being surrounded by the neutral ligand binding through SNO donor atoms and by two chlorines, while the nitrate derivatives consist of monocations and nitrate anions. The copper coordination (4 + 2) involves the SNO ligand atoms, two water oxygens and an oxygen atom of a monodentate nitrate group. On varying the substituents on the thiosemicarbazidic moiety, remarkable modifications of the coordination geometry are not observed for the complexes with the same counterion. For all the compounds, interactions with DNA (calf thymus) were studied using UV–Vis spectroscopy; the nuclease activity was verified on plasmid DNA pBR 322 by electrophoresis.