Physicochemical characterization of Cu(II) complexes with SOD-like activity, theoretical studies and biological assays

The complex, [Cu(o-Va)2(H2O)2] (o-HVa = o-vanillin, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) was synthesized and characterized by several physicochemical techniques. The optimized geometry, vibrational frequencies and electronic transitions were calculated using methods based on the density functional theory. The redox behavior, antimicrobial and SOD-mimic activities of the complex were studied and compared with the analogous Cu(II) complex with vanillin, [Cu(Va)2(H2O)2].