The catalysis of nucleotide polymerization by compounds of divalent lead.

Soluble lead salts and a number of lead-containing minerals catalyze the formation of oligonucleotides from nucleoside 5'-phosphorimidazolides. The effectiveness of lead compounds correlates strongly with their solubility. Under optimal conditions we were able to obtain 18% of pentamer and higher oligomers from ImpA. Reactions involving ImpU gave smaller yields.