Poly(cytidylic acid) and poly(adenylic acid) analogues, resembling closely the structures of the natural polymers, were synthesized by the alternating cyclocopolymerization of a nucleoside derivative and acrylic anhydride, and subsequent hydrolysis. The polymers catalyzed the cleavage of dinuleotides and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Poly(cytidylic acid) and poly(adenylic acid) analogues accelerated the hydrolysis of GpG and TpT, respectively, faster than other dinucleotides due to the base pairing. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.