Insights into Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Bioactivity and Computational Studies of Cu(II) and Zn(II) Carboxylates Containing Aminopyridine

Abstract

[Cu2(μ‐2‐chlorobenzoato‐O,O’)4Cl2].2(4‐DMAPH) (1) and [Zn2(μ‐2‐chlorobenzoato‐O,O’)4(4‐DMAP)2] (2) (4‐DMAP=4‐Dimethylaminopyridine) were synthesized from CuCl2/Zn(NO)3)2 . 6H2O, 2‐chlorobenzoic acid and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine in methanol under reflux. Compounds were comprehensively characterized by elemental analyses, conductance measurement, spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction studies. Complexes crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21/n having dinuclear paddle‐wheel structure. DFT studies along with NCI plot, QTAIM analysis indicate presence of N−H⋯Cl, C−H⋯O, C−H⋯π interactions in 1 and CH3⋯π, π⋯π and C−H⋯Cl in 2. The charge distribution in the complexes was shown via MEP analysis. Complexes interact with CT‐DNA in moderately strong non‐intercalative mode of binding. Antimicrobial study against Shigella flexneri (B), Streptococcus pneumoniae (K), Klebsiella pneumoniae (P) and Shigella boydii (Q) shows appreciable activity of 1 whereas compound 2 is comparatively less active. In vitro cytotoxicity study against cell lines (L‐132) exhibits moderate activity by the complexes, but compound 2 shows significant cell inhibition activity against cell lines K‐562. The complexes are emissive in nature.