Fluorescence studies, DNA binding properties and antimicrobial activity of a dysprosium(III) complex containing 1,10-phenanthroline

•Interaction of [Dy(phen)2(OH2)3Cl]Cl2⋅H2O with DNA has been studied.•Intrinsic binding constant and the binding site number were determined by emission measurements.•Thermodynamic parameters indicate that the binding reaction is endothermic and spontaneous.•Our studies suggest that the major binding mode should be groove binding.•Dy(III) complex shows good antimicrobial activity against different bacteria.

Luminescence and binding properties of dysprosium(III) complex containing 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [Dy(phen)2(OH2)3Cl]Cl2⋅H2O with DNA has been studied by electronic absorption, emission spectroscopy and viscosity measurement. The thermodynamic studies suggest that the interaction process to be endothermic and entropically driven, which indicates that the dysprosium(III) complex might interact with DNA by a non intercalation binding mode. Additionally, the competitive fluorescence study with ethidium bromide and also the effect of iodide ion and salt concentration on fluorescence of the complex-DNA system is investigated. Experimental results indicate that the Dy(III) complex strongly binds to DNA, presumably via groove binding mode. Furthermore, the complex shows a potent antibacterial activity and DNA cleavage ability.