Palladium(II) complexes as biologically potent metallo-drugs: Synthesis, spectral characterization, DNA interaction studies and antibacterial activity

Four novel mononuclear Pd(II) complexes have been synthesized with the biologically active Schiff base ligands (L1–L4) derived from 3-amino-2-methyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone. The structure of the complexes has been proposed by elemental analysis, molar conductance, IR, 1H NMR, mass, UV–Vis spectrometric and thermal studies. The investigation of interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been performed with absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies. The nuclease activity was done using pUC19 supercoiled DNA by gel-electrophoresis. All the ligands and their Pd(II) complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial activity by discolor diffusion technique.

Graphical abstractNew Pd(II)-Schiff base complexes were synthesizes and characterized using spectral techniques. DNA interaction studies were performed using the synthesized Pd(II) complexes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We synthesized four biologically potent palladium(II) complexes. ► The structures of synthesized complex were confirmed by spectral techniques. ► DNA binding studies show that complexes are avid binders to double helix CT-DNA. ► Palladium(II) complexes were able to cleave the supercoiled plasmid DNA even in the absence of an oxidant.