A model study on the stacking interaction of phenanthroline ligand with nucleic acid base pairs: An ab initio, MP2 and DFT studies

The stacking of phenanthroline(phen) ligand within base pair sequences is one of the important factors for the stabilization of metalphen complex within DNA. The stacking ability of this ligand has been assessed to deduce the base pair selectivity as well as to identify the favored region of intercalation. Different level of theories have been used to predict the favorable regions for stacking interaction of phen ligand with base pair, but the results of MP2/6-31+G(d,p) is found to be reasonably good for monitoring such interactions.