Spectra and DNA-binding affinities of Copper(II), Nickel(II) complexes with a novel glycine Schiff base derived from chromone

New [CuL·(H2O)3]NO3·H2O and [NiL·H2O]NO3·2H2O complexes with Schiff base (LNa) derived from 6-hydroxy-3-carbaldehyde chromone (CDC) and glycine are reported. Two complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR data, TG/DTA and molar conductivity. The binding of these two complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated, respectively, with UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The experiment results indicate that the two complexes may bind to CT-DNA through an intercalative mode and [CuL·(H2O)3]NO3·H2O intercalates into DNA more deeply than [NiL·H2O]NO3·2H2O. Their intrinsic binding constants (K) with DNA are 6.08 × 105 and 2.76 × 105 M−1.