Synthesis, spectroscopic, X-ray crystal structure, biological and DNA interaction studies of organotin(IV) complexes of 2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene) butanoic acid

•Synthesis of six organotin(IV) complexes of 2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene) butanoic acid.•Spectroscopic characterization of synthesized complexes (1–6).•Single crystal analysis of complex 1.•Antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antitumor activities of complexes (1–6).•DNA interaction studies by UV–Visible spectrophotometry and viscometry.

Six organotin(IV) carboxylates of the type R2SnL2 [R = CH3 (1), n-C4H9 (2), n-C8H17 (3)] and R3SnL [R = CH3 (4), n-C4H9 (5), C6H5 (6), where L = 2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene) butanoic acid, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR (1H, 13C). The complex (1) was also analyzed by single crystal X-ray analysis. The complexes were screened for antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-tumor activities. The results showed significant activity in each area of the activity with few exceptions. DNA interactions studies of ligand HL and representative complex 2 were investigated by UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The results showed that both ligand HL and complex 2 interact with SS-DNA via intercalation as well as minor groove binding.

Graphical abstractSix organotin(IV) complexes of 2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene) butanoic acid, have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-tumor activities. DNA interactions studies were performed to find out drug-DNA mechanism.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide