The Zn(2+) complex of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane as an artificial nucleobase.

{2-Deoxy-3-O-[2-cyanoethoxy(diisopropylamino)phosphino]-5-O-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityl)-α-D- erythro-pentofuranosyl}-N-{2-[4,7,10-tris(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1- yl]ethyl}acetamide (1) was prepared and incorporated into a 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide. The hybridization of this oligonucleotide with complementary 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides incorporating one to five uracil bases opposite to the azacrown structure was studied in the absence and presence of Zn(2+). Introduction of Zn(2+) moderately stabilized the duplex with U-bulged targets.