No abstract

No abstract

Dinuclear Cu(II) complexes, [Cu(2) (salophen)(2) ] (1) and [Cu(2) (salen)(2) ] (2), with Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine (ophen) or ethylenediamine (en) were synthesized and characterized. They exhibit square-planar geometry with CuN(2) O(2) coordination, where the dianionic Schiff base acts as a tetradentate N(2) O(2) donor ligand. Calf thymus (CT)-DNA Binding studies revealed that the complexes possess good binding propensities (K(b) =3.13×10(5) for 1 and K(b) =2.99×10(5)  M(-1) for 2). They show good DNA-cleavage abilities under oxidative and hydrolytic conditions. Complex 1 binds and cleaves DNA more efficiently as compared to 2 due to the presence of an extended aromatic phenyl ring which might be involved in an additional stacking interaction with DNA bases. From the kinetic experiments, hydrolytic DNA-cleavage rate constants were determined as 1.54 for 1 and 0.72 h(-1) for 2. The nuclease activities of 1 and 2 are significant, giving rise to (2.03-2.88)×10(7) -fold rate enhancement compared to non-catalyzed DNA cleavage.

Three mononuclear Cu(II) complexes, [CuCl(naph-pa)] (1), [Cu(bipy)(naph-pa)]Cl (2), and [Cu(naph-pa)(phen)]Cl (3) ((naph-pa)=Schiff base derived from the condensation of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde and 2-picolylamine (=2-(aminomethyl)pyridine), bipy=2,2'-bypiridine, and phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 exhibits square-planar geometry, and 2 and 3 exhibit square pyramidal geometry, where Schiff base and bipy/phen act as NNO and as NN donor ligands, respectively. CT (Calf thymus)-DNA-binding studies revealed that the complexes bind through intercalative mode and show good binding propensity (intrinsic binding constant K(b): 0.98×10(5), 2.22×10(5), and 2.67×10(5) M(-1) for 1-3, resp.). The oxidative and hydrolytic DNA-cleavage activity of these complexes has been studied by gel electrophoresis: all the complexes displayed chemical nuclease activity in the presence and absence of H(2)O(2). From the kinetic experiments, hydrolytic DNA cleavage rate constants were determined as 2.48, 3.32, and 4.10 h(-1) for 1-3, respectively. It amounts to (0.68-1.14)×10(8)-fold rate enhancement compared to non-catalyzed DNA cleavage, which is impressive. The complexes display binding and cleavage propensity to DNA in the order of 3>2>1.