A new two-dimensional polymeric copper(II) complex bridged both by oxamidate and azide groups: synthesis, structure and DNA binding properties

Abstract

A new two-dimensional polymeric copper(II) complex, [Cu₂(heae)(N₃)₂] _n , where heae stands for the dianion of N,N′-bis(N-hydroxyethylaminoethyl)oxamide, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity measurement, IR, electronic spectral studies and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2₁/c space group with crystallographic data: a = 9.1588(18) Å, b = 6.6238(13) Å, c = 14.602(3) Å and Z = 2. The X-ray analysis reveals a two-dimensional copper(II) polymeric coordination network constructed by bis-tridentate chelated [Cu(trans-heae)Cu]²⁺ building blocks and end-on azido ligands. The environment around the copper(II) atom can be described as a square-based pyramid. The azido bridge is very asymmetric with one Cu–N bond distance short and the other long. The Cu ··· Cu separations through μ-trans-oxamidate and μ-azido bridges are 5.2996(13) Å and 4.2464(7) Å, respectively. The copper(II) complex is a polymer in the solid state, whereas in solution it exists as discrete neutral binuclear copper(II) species. Coordination mode of the azide in solution is proved by electronic spectra. The DNA-binding properties of the binuclear copper(II) species were investigated by emission spectral and electrochemical techniques, indicating the binuclear copper(II) complex binds to HS-DNA via a groove mode.

Keywords:

• Two-dimensional polymeric copper(II) complex
• Crystal structure
• Oxamido-bridge
• Azido-bridge
• DNA-binding properties

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30672515), the Ph.D. Program Foundation of Ministry of Education of China (No. 20060423005) and the National Undergraduate Innovative Test Program of China.