An experimental and theoretical study on the interaction of DNA and BSA with novel Ni2 +, Cu2 + and VO2 + complexes derived from vanillin bidentate Schiff base ligand

•The structure of Schiff base ligand of vanillin was taken by X-ray crystallography.•Interaction of complexes with DNA and BSA was explored by spectroscopic techniques.•Theoretical studies were done to calculate binding constants of DNA and BSA with complexes.•Ligand and complexes including Ni2 +, Cu2 + and VO2 + were colonized by fungal growth.

In this investigation, the structure of bidentate N,N-Schiff base ligand of vanillin, (E)-4-(((2-amino-5-nitrophenyl)imino)methyl)-2-methoxyphenol (HL) was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The interaction of new [CuL2], [NiL2] and [VOL2] complexes with DNA and BSA was explored through UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The electronic spectra changes displayed an isosbestic point for the complexes upon titration with DNA. The Kb values for the complexes [CuL2], [NiL2] and [VOL2] were 2.4 × 105, 1.9 × 105 and 4.2 × 104, respectively. [CuL2] complex was bound more toughly than [NiL2] and [VOL2] complexes. These complexes had a significant interaction with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and the results demonstrated that the quenching mechanism was a static procedure. Also, the complexes interacted with BSA by more than one binding site (n > 1). Finally, the theoretical studies were performed using the docking method to calculate the binding constants and recognize the binding site of the DNA and BSA with the complexes. The ligand and complexes including Ni2 +, Cu2 + and VO2 + ions were colonized by fungal growth.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (125 K)Download as PowerPoint slide