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Possible catalytic functions of metal ions in the cleavage of a phosphodiester bond. Metal ions can act as (a) a general acid catalyst, (b) a general base catalyst, (c) a Lewis acid that stabilizes the leaving group, (d) a Lewis acid that enhances the deprotonation of the attacking nucleophile and (e) an electrophilic catalyst that increases the electrophilicity of the phosphorus atom.
