Complexation of Bis(morpholyldithiocarbamato)copper(II), a Superoxide Scavenger, in β-Cyclodextrins

Abstract

Bis(morpholyldithiocarbamato)copper(II),Cu(MorDTC)², has been studied as a scavenger of the superoxide anion, a reactive radical that can cause very negative effects in vivo. The scavenging takes place through a superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like process. The copper(II) compound has a poor solubility in water. The interaction of Cu(MorDTC)² with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and its dimethyl derivative (dmβ-CD) was studied, resulting in an increase by one order in water solubility and the SOD-like activity of Cu(MorDTC)². The inclusion constants were determined spectrophotometrically at 435 nm and 300 K. For β-CD, the values of log \hspace{0.167em} K_{11} = 3.96 (±0.01) and log \hspace{0.167em} K_{21} = 7.47 (±0.04) were obtained. With dmβ-CD, log \hspace{0.167em} K_{11} = 3.73 (±0.08) and log \hspace{0.167em} K_{21} = 6.30 (±0.01) were the values achieved.

Keywords:

• Copper(II)
• Dithiocarbamate
• Cyclodextrin
• Inclusion complex
• SOD-like activity