Synthesis, DNA binding and docking studies of copper(II) complexes containing modified phenanthroline ligands

Abstract

Copper(II) complexes, [Cu(Hsal)(L)(ClO₄)] (where Hsal = salicylaldehyde, 1: L = dpqC = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c](6,7,8,9-tetrahydro)phenazine and 2: L = dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine), were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal XRD on 1 confirms the presence of square pyramidal geometry around Cu(II). DNA interaction studies were performed for both the complexes using UV–visible, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques, and viscosity. These complexes bind with DNA through partial intercalation. Molecular docking studies confirm our experimental findings of mode of binding of our complexes with DNA.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Copper complex
• DNA binding
• Molecular docking

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the UGC-SAP and DST-FIST programmes (Bruker Smart APPEX II diffractometer facility) at the School of Chemistry, Bharathidasan University. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi is acknowledged for the financial support [Scheme No. 09/475(0154)/2010-EMR-I dated. 09/02/2011] for Senior Research Fellowship to JLP. One of the authors, S.A., thanks for sanction of research schemes, grant number SR/S1/IC-13/2009 of DST, Grant No. 01(2461)/11/EMR-II of CSIR and also Grant No. 41-223/2012(SR) of UGC.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi [grant number 09/475(0154)/2010-EMR-I], [grant number SR/S1/IC-13/2009], [grant number 01(2461)/11/EMR-II], [grant number 41-223/2012(SR)].