The structural characterization and DNA binding of pyridyl-azo-acetylacetonato complexes of zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II)

3-(2-(Pyridin-3-yl)hydrazono)pentane-2,4-dione and its group 12 metal complexes interact with DNA and the binding constant (Kb) lies 6.15 × 104 to 4.55 × 105 M−1. [ML2(N3)2] complexes show higher Kb than that of other complexes and the binding efficiency decreases following the order [ZnL2X2] > [CdL2X2] > [HgL2X2].