Synthesis of Aryl-1,2,4,5-tetrazinane-3-thiones, in vitro DNA binding studies, nuclease activity and its antimicrobial activity

A series of small molecules with a tetrazine scaffold (5–8) was designed and synthesized as metal free DNA cleaving agent. These compounds (5–8) were characterized by using various spectroscopic (via; IR, 1H, 13C NMR and ESI-MS) and analytical methods. The interaction studies of (5–8) with CT DNA were carried out by using various biophysical techniques, which showed high binding affinity of 7 and 8 towards CT DNA. Gel electrophoresis pattern demonstrated that the compounds are efficient artificial nuclease and prefers minor groove binding site. The mechanistic pattern showed that compounds follow hydrolytic pathway for DNA cleavage. In vitro antibacterial screening of these tetrazine-thiones (5–8) gives remarkable results both against gram-positive and gram-negative strains. These compounds also possess moderate antifungal activity when compared with the standard drugs.