Proteolytic activity of the Cu(II) complex of 1-oxa-4,7,10-triazacyclododecane (oxacyclen) was compared with that of the Cu(II) complex of1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane by using albumin,
-globulin,
and myoglobin as substrates. Values of
kcat/
Km were greater for Cu(II)oxacyclenby 40-80 times. The enhanced activity is attributed to the increased Lewis acidity of Cu(II) due to substitution of one nitrogen donor atom withoxygen.