Zinc(II) and manganese(II) complexes with 1,3-bis(1-allylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxapropane: synthesis, crystal structures, antioxidant activities and DNA-binding properties

Abstract

Two new zinc(II) and manganese(II) complexes with the ligand 1,3-bis(1-allylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxopropane (aobb), with composition [Zn(aobb)₂](pic)₂·DMF·CH₃OH (1) and [Mn(aobb)(DMF)₂(H₂O)] (pic)₂ (2) (pic = picrate; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrical conductivities, X-ray single-crystal diffraction, IR, and UV–vis spectra. Single-crystal X-ray revealed that Zn(II) and Mn(II) centers are both located in the six-coordinate distorted octahedral geometry. The DNA-binding modes of the ligand and the complexes were investigated by electronic absorption titration, competitive binding with ethidium bromide and viscosity measurements. The experimental evidence indicated the ligand and complexes interact with calf thymus DNA through intercalation. The binding strength follows the order 2 > 1 > aobb. Additionally, 2 displays potential superoxide dismutase activity in vitro studies.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• 1,3-Bis(1-allylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxopropane
• zinc(II) and manganese(II) complexes
• crystal structure
• DNA-binding mode
• antioxidant activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The present research was supported Foundation of A Hundred Youth Talents Training Program of Lanzhou Jiaotong University [grant number 152022]; Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province [grant number 17JR5RA090].