Synthesis of covalently linked parallel and antiparallel DNA duplexes containing the metal-mediated base pairs T-Hg(ii)-T and C-Ag(i)-C
DNA duplexes fixed in anti-parallel and parallel orientations by introducing covalent linkages have been synthesized and metal ions, Hg(ii) and Ag(i), were incorporated into pyrimidine-pyrimidine base pairs.