Synthesis and structure of a macrocyclic dinuclear Zn(II) complex together with DNA-binding and kinetic studies

Abstract

A new macrocyclic dinuclear Zn(II) complex, [Zn₂(OAc)L] · ClO₄ (H₂L was obtained by condensation between 3,3′-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(benzylazanediyl))bis(methylene)bis(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde) and aniline (1 : 2 molar ratio)), was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The interactions of the complex with DNA have been measured by UV spectroscopy and viscosity experiment. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA has a binding constant of 1.18 × 10⁴mol⁻¹L. Phosphate hydrolysis of the complex was investigated using bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate as the substrate. The observed first-order rate constant is 4.23 × 10⁻⁵s⁻¹.

Keywords:

• Dinuclear Zn(II) complex
• Crystal structure
• DNA-binding constant
• Catalytic activities

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos 20871097, 20971102, 21002076), the Foundation for Midlife and Youth Talent Project of Hubei Province, China (No. Q20111507).