Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new dysprosium(III) complex containing 2,9-dimethyl 1,10-phenanthroline

The binding of Dy(dmp)₂Cl₃(OH₂)], where dmp is 2,9-dimethyl 1,10-phenanthroline, with Fish salmon DNA (FS-DNA) is investigated by absorption and emission spectroscopy, quenching studies, salt dependent, and gel electrophoresis. The binding constant (K_b) of the interaction is calculated as (1.27 ± .05) × 10⁵ M^?1 from absorption spectral titration data. The Stern–Volmer constant (K_SV), thermodynamic parameters involves ΔG°, ?H°, and ?S° are calculated by fluorescent data and Van’t Hoff equation. The thermodynamic studies show that the reaction for the binding of the complex with FS-DNA is endothermic and entropically driven (ΔS° > 0, ΔH° > 0). The effect of the complex concentration on FS-DNA cleavage reactions is also investigated by gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, the Dy(III) complex has been screened for its antibacterial activity. The experimental results suggest that the Dy(III) complex binds significantly to FS-DNA by hydrophobic groove binding mode and the complex has more efficient antibacterial activity compared to its metal salt.