Essential component of the deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP) pathway for de novo synthesis of thymidylate. Catalyzes the strictly specific dephosphorylation of 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-monophosphates (dAMP, dGMP, dTMP, dUMP, dIMP and dCMP) and does not dephosphorylate 5'-ribonucleotides or ribonucleoside 3'-monophosphates. a 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-phosphate + H2O = a 2'-deoxyribonucleoside + phosphate dAMP + H2O = 2'-deoxyadenosine + phosphate dGMP + H2O = 2'-deoxyguanosine + phosphate dTMP + H2O = phosphate + thymidine dUMP + H2O = 2'-deoxyuridine + phosphate dIMP + H2O = 2'-deoxyinosine + phosphate dCMP + H2O = 2'-deoxycytidine + phosphate A divalent metal cation. Highest activity with Co(2+), followed by Mn(2+) and Cu(2+). Inhibited by both ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside di- and triphosphates. Optimum pH is 8.0. Homodimer. Belongs to the 5DNU family.