Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopy, and nuclease activity of copper(II) complexes containing N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand

Abstract

[Cu(bpea)Cl]ClO₄ (1) and a new copper(II) complex [Cu(bpma)(Ph-COO)(H₂O)]ClO₄ (2) [bpea = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylamine; bpma = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)methylamine] have been synthesized. Complex 2 was crystallized in monoclinic space group P2₁/c with unit cell parameters a  = 16.460(6) Å, b  = 11.222(4) Å, c = 12.522(5) Å, and β = 97.985(6)°. Interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by UV absorption, fluorescence, and cyclic voltammetry; thus, modes of CT-DNA binding for the complexes have been proposed. Furthermore, DNA cleavage activities by the complexes were performed in the absence of any external agents. The influence of complex concentration or reaction time on the DNA cleavage was studied.

Keywords:

• Copper complex
• Crystal structure
• DNA cleavage
• DNA binding

Acknowledgments

Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20771063), the PhD Science Foundation of Tianjin Normal University (Grant No. 52LX28), and Tianjin Educational Committee Foundation (Grant No. 20070606) are gratefully acknowledged.