The design and development of suitable biomimetic catalytic systems capable of mimicking the functional properties of enzymes continues to be a challenge for bioinorganic chemists. In this study, we report on the synthesis, X-ray structures, and physicochemical characterization of the novel isostructural Fe(III)Co(II)(BPBPMP)(mu-OAc)(2)ClO(4) (1) and Ga(III)Co(II)(BPBPMP)(mu-OAc)(2)ClO(4) (2) complexes with the unsymmetrical dinucleating ligand H(2)BPBPMP (2-bis{(2-pyridyl-methyl)-aminomethyl}-6-{(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-(2-pyridyl-methyl)}-aminomethyl-4-methylphenol). The previously reported complex Fe(III)Zn(II)(BPBPMP)(mu-OAc)(2)ClO(4) (3) was investigated here by electron paramagnetic resonance for comparison with such studies on 1 and 2. A magneto-structural correlation between the exchange parameter J (cm(-1)) and the average bond lengh d (A) of the Fe(III)-O-M(II) structural unit for 1 and for related isostructural Fe(III)M(II) complexes using the correlation J = -10(7) exp(-6.8d) reveals that this parameter is the major factor that determines the degree of antiferromagnetic coupling in the series (BPBPMP)Fe(III)(mu-OAc)(2)M(II)(+) (M(II) = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) of complexes. Potentiometric and spectrophotometric titrations along with electronic absorption studies show that, in aqueous solution, complexes 1 and 2 generate the (HO)M(III)(mu-OH)Co(II)(H(2)O) complex as the catalytically active species in diester hydrolysis reactions. Kinetic studies on the hydrolysis of the model substrate bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate by 1 and 2 show Michaelis-Menten behavior, with 2 being 35% more active than 1. In combination with k(H)/k(D) isotope effects, the kinetic studies suggest a mechanism in which a terminal M(III)-bound hydroxide is the hydrolysis-initiating nucleophilic catalyst. In addition, the complexes show maximum catalytic activity in DNA hydrolysis near physiological pH. The modest reactivity difference between 1 and 2 is consistent with the slightly increased nucleophilic character of the Ga(III)-OH terminal group in comparison to Fe(III)-OH in the dinuclear M(III)Co(II) species.