Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA-binding properties, and antioxidant activity of a V-shaped ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine and its zinc(II) complex

Abstract

A V-shaped ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine (L) and its zinc(II) complex, [ZnL ₂](pic)₂ · 2CH₃CN (pic = picrate), have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the Zn(II) complex possesses a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Supramolecular interactions arising from various intra- or intermolecular π···π stacking interactions contributed to the form of the multidimensional configuration. Interactions of L and Zn(II) complex with DNA were monitored using spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that L and Zn(II) complex both bind to DNA via intercalation and Zn(II) complex binds to DNA more strongly than L. Moreover, the Zn(II) complex also exhibited potential antioxidant properties in vitro.

Keywords:

• Benzimidazole
• Zinc(II) complex
• Crystal structure
• DNA-binding property
• Antioxidant property

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support and grant from “Qing Lan” Talent Engineering Funds by Lanzhou Jiaotong University. The grant from “Long Yuan Qing Nian” of Gansu Province also is acknowledged.