DNA and RNA binding studies on a novel bromo-bridged dimeric copper(II) complex stabilized from a Schiff base ligand

Abstract

A novel red copper(II) compound, bis(μ-bromo)bis(2-(benzothiazol-2-yl-hydrazono)-1,2-diphenyl-ethanone)-dicopper(II) (1), has been fostered by equimolar reaction of a Schiff-base ligand, 2-(benzothiazol-2-yl-hydrazono)-1,2-diphenyl-ethanone (LH), with copper(II) bromide in satisfactory yield. 1 has thoroughly been characterized by C, H and N elemental analyses, FT-IR and UV-vis (both in solid state and in solution) spectroscopies, and room-temperature magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. Dimeric 1 bears symmetric rare bromo-bridges in its crystal structure. 1 retains its solid-state identity even in a protic solvent like methanol. 1 in methanol displays two-step one-electron redox response. Theoretical calculations based on DFT were executed to probe the electronic structure of 1 and to augment its color. DNA- and RNA-binding aspects of both LH and 1 have been explored. Thermodynamic binding parameters have been determined. LH is a major-groove binder to DNA, while 1 manifests itself as a minor-groove binder. This binding has been corroborated through molecular docking. Nucleic acid binding aspect of such type of rare bromo-bridged red copper(II) dimer is unprecedented.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Schiff-base
• copper
• structure
• DNA
• docking

Acknowledgements

We solicit to thank our esteemed reviewers for valuable suggestions to put the entire work into context.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

NKM gratefully acknowledges the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India for his fellowship. Financial support received from Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, India under RUSA 2.0 is sincerely acknowledged.