Publication Type
Journal
Journal Name
Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Publication Date
Page Numbers
389 to 392
Volume
2
Issue
5
Abstract
High-level quantum chemical calculations have been applied to investigate the
geometry and electronic properties of the arsenate analogue of the DNA backbone. The
optimized geometries as well as hyperconjugation effects along the C30—O30—X—O50—C50
linkage (X = P,As) exhibit a remarkable similarity for both arsenates and phosphates. This
suggests that arsenates, if present, might serve as a potential substitute for phosphates in the
DNA backbone.
