Synthesis, spectra and DNA interactions of certain mononuclear transition metal(II) complexes of macrocyclic tetraaza diacetyl curcumin ligand

A series of mononuclear transition metal(II) complexes of type [M(LL)]2+ (LL = the template condensate of orthophenylene diamine and benzilidene diacetyl curcumin (ben-diacecur) and M = Cu(II) (1) or Co(II) (2) or Ni(II) (3) or Mn(II) (4)), have been isolated and the spectral behaviors are discussed. The ligand and complexes have also been characterized by the analytical and spectral methods like UV–Visible, FT-IR, NMR and EPR. Further, the interaction of the transition metal complexes with Calf thymus (CT) DNA have also been studied by the use of physical methods like UV–Visible, emission and CD spectroscopic techniques. The electrochemical responses of these metal complexes both in presence and absence of DNA have also been demonstrated. All these findings support the hypothesis of DNA interactions of all these metal complexes through the grooves with a higher degree of interaction by complex 1 (Kb = 1.4 × 105) possibly through the interposition of the aromatic rings of the ligand compared to complexes, 2–4. The complex 1 display significant oxidative cleavage of circular plasmid pUC18 DNA in the presence of H2O2 using the singlet oxygen as a reactive species. The spectral and electrochemical response of these complexes designate that the square-planar Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes interact much better than the axially coordinated octahedral Mn(II) complex.

► Four mononuclear transition metal(II) complexes have been isolated.
► The spectral and electrochemical behaviors of all the complexes are analyzed.
► The metal(II) complexes strongly interact with CT-DNA by a groove binding mode.