Two new heteroleptic ruthenium(II) dithiocarbamates: synthesis, characterization, DFT calculation and DNA binding

Abstract

Two ruthenium(II) dithiocarbamates, cis-[Ru(DMP)₂L](BF₄), where L = 4-(4-methoxy-phenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioate (1) and 4-(3-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioate (2) and DMP = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, have been synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding affinity of these metal complexes was investigated by UV–visible spectrophotometry with DNA-binding constants of 6.2 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (1) and 1.2 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (2) and electrostatic binding mode was confirmed by viscometric measurements. For insight into the structural differences, both complexes were studied computationally. B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of Density Functional Theory was used for the computational studies in Gaussian 09. The optimized bond lengths are in agreement with the reported values. Comparative computational studies reveal interesting transformations in bond lengths, angles, Natural Bond Orbital charges, molecular orbitals, Molecular Electro Static Potentials, and global chemical reactivity indices. Based on quantum chemical results a structure–activity relationship has been attempted.

Keywords:

• Heteroleptic ruthenium(II) dithiocarbamate
• DNA binding
• DFT calculation
• structure-activity relationship