Organometallic chemistry, nucleic acid

In the presence of millimolar concentrations of stronger nucleophiles such as CN and thiourea for Pt + complexes, or molar concentrations of Cl for Hg+ complexes, nncleic acid base substitution takes place. However, steric constraints can lead to surprising inertness, as demonstrated for N-3-platinated T and U. In contrast to coordination bonds of Hg + to heterocyclic N-atoms of nucleic acid bases, the covalent bond of mercury ion to C-5 of pyrimidines see Mercury Organometallic Chemistry) is stable even in the presence of 1M NaCl. ... 

Reviews have appeared on the chemistry and biological properties of aza- and deaza- nucleosides, the use of organometallic intermediates in the synthesis of nucleoside analogues, potential antiviral nucleosides, and nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids. 

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