Zirconia-Cu(I) stabilized copper oxide mesoporous nano-catalyst: Synthesis and DNA reactivity of 1,2,4-oxadiazole-quinolinepeptidomimetics-based metal(II) complexes

Abstract

Contemporary research reveals an undemanding protocol for the catalytic synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazole-quinolinepeptide in the incidence of a cost-effective and reusable mesoporous ZrO₂-supported Cu₂O (Cu₂ZrO₃) catalyst. This paper depicts a unique system for peptide bond synthesis staying away from toxic solvents and reactants. The catalyst was reused for four cycles without noteworthy loss in the activity, and the catalyst was genuinely heterogeneous. The method followed a simple workup procedure, and no column chromatography was needed. Further, the synthesized 1,2,4-oxadiazole-quinolinepeptide ligand (L), and its complexes of type, [FeLCl₂] and [CuL]Cl₂ were synthesized and characterized by spectral and analytical techniques. An octahedral geometry has been projected for Fe(II) complexes, while the Cu(II) complex exhibits a square planar geometry. The binding properties of the complexes with CT-DNA were studied by absorption spectral analysis, followed by viscosity measurement and thermal denaturation studies. The photo-induced cleavage studies revealed that the complexes possess photonuclease activity against pUC19 DNA under UV–visible irradiation.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• 1,2,4-oxadiazole; peptidomimetics; metal(II) complexes
• nano-catalyst
• DNA reactivity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by DST SERB (F. No. ECR/2016/001499) from the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi.