A Multifunctional Biomimicking Oxidovanadium(V) Complex: Synthesis, DFT Calculations, Bromo‐peroxidation and DNA Nuclease Activities

Abstract

An oxidovanadium(V) complex [VO(SGly)(bpy)]ClO4 (H2SGly=N‐(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐L‐glycine; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic studies (IR, UV‐vis, ESI‐MS). The theoretical structure of the complex was optimized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The multifunctionality of this oxidovanadium complex was demonstrated by the application of it as a catalyst in peroxidative bromination of single‐pot conversion of phenol red to bromophenol blue, whereas its nuclease activity was established by DNA cleavage. The interaction of this oxidovanadium complex with DNA was studied by various physicochemical tools like UV‐vis, fluorescence, and viscosity measurement studies. The intrinsic binding constant of the complex with DNA was determined spectrophotometrically and calculated to be (2.3 ± 0.02) x 104 M−1. The spectroscopic studies and the viscosity measurements indicate that the complex binds to the groove of CT‐DNA, but whether to the major or minor groove that was not established. The extent of vanadium complex induced DNA cleavage was studied by gel electrophoresis techniques. The complex was found to promote cleavage of pUC19 plasmid DNA from the super coiled (SC DNA) form I to nicked coiled (NC DNA) relaxed form II.