Synthesis, characterization, and interaction with DNA of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 2,2′-bipyridyl-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid

Abstract

Two transition metal complexes, [Cu₂(bpdc)₂H₂O]·2H₂O (1) and Zn(bpdc)(H₂O)₂ (2) (H₂bpdc = 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is dinuclear with two five-coordinate cupric ions and 2 is mononuclear with one six-coordinate zinc. Interactions of 1 and 2 with DNA have been investigated using UV–Vis absorption spectra. The cleavage reaction on DNA has been monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Keywords:

• Dinuclear complex
• Mononuclear complex
• DNA binding
• DNA cleavage

Acknowledgements

This work was conducted in the framework of a project sponsored by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21071100), SRF for ROCS, SEM, and Liaoning BaiQianWan Talents Program and the LNET (LJQ2011038).