Detecting the bonding type of dithiocarbamate ligands in their complexes as inferred from the asymmetric CS mode

The IR spectra of a number of dithiocarbamate (dtc) complexes (M(R₂dtc)₂, n = 2, M = Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, Te; n = 3, M = Cr, Fe, Co, As, Sb, Bi, R = Et, Prⁿ, Prⁱ, Buⁿ, Brⁱ, as well as the laser Raman spectra of a few colourless compounds (M(Et₂dtc)₂ M = Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg), have been recorded and discussed as to the validity of the Bonati-Ugo (BU) criterion for discerning the dtc bonding type from its ν_as(CS) band (ca. 1000 cm^?1), By comparing these bands for dtc complexes containing different N-substituted ligands, their splittings can be proved to be due to interligand coupling of the CS ligand modes. Further comparison with X-ray diffraction data shows that the dtc ligands, irrespective of the host complex or the ligand bonding type, are at sites of C₁ symmetry, thus ruling out the possibility to detect the ligand bonding type from the solid state vibrational spectra. New evidence is presented that the RN modes are present in the 1000 cm^?1 region, thus making it unsuitable for the determination of the ligand bonding type.     

Cyclic voltammetric and infrared spectral studies on the interaction of Ni(II) dithiocarbamates with triphenylphosphine and the crystal and molecular structure of diethyldithiocarbamatobis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(II)perchlo-rate, [Ni(dedtc)(PPh3)2]ClO4

Ni(II) dithiocarbamates (Ni(dtc)₂) with various substituents on dtc were allowed to react with triphenylphosphine (PPh₃). Mixed ligand complexes of the general formulae Ni(dtc)Cl(PPh₃) and [Ni(dtc)(PPh₃)₂]ClO₄ were prepared. The complexes were analysed by high resolution IR spectra. Comparison of the ν(C–N) frequencies of different complexes viz., Ni(dtc)₂, Ni(dtc)Cl(PPh₃) and [Ni(dtc)(PPh₃)₂]ClO₄, showed the following order of decreasing v(C–N) values: [Ni(dtc)(PPh₃)₂]⁺> Ni(dtc)Cl(PPh₃)> Ni(dtc)₂. The observation showed the extent of contribution of the thiouride form in describing the structure of the complexes. The higher the contribution, larger is the value of ν(C–N). Cyclic voltammetric studies on the complexes showed the one electron reduction potentials to decrease in the following order: Ni(dtc)Cl(PPh₃)>Ni(dtc)₂> [Ni(dtc)(PPh₃)₂]⁺. The observations are explained with the nature of the substituents on the dtc moiety and other ligands present around Ni(II). Crystal structure of [Ni(dedtc) (PPh₃)₂]ClO₄ (dedtc = diethyldithiocarbamate) was determined to study the effect of the introduction of PPh₃ in place of Cl in the Ni(dtc)Cl(PPh₃) complex. The complex is planar with NiS₂P₂ chromophore. The NiS distances are 2.190(2) and 2.239(2) Å and the NiP distances are 2.230(2) and 2.200(2) Å. The asymmetry in the NiS and NiP distances is ascribed to the steric effect due to bulky PPh₃. The structural aspects are compared with those of the Ni(dtc)Cl(PPh₃) complex.     

Ligand exchange reactions between copper(II) and nickel(II) chelates of different sulphur and selenium containing ligands. VII. Single-crystal ESR study on the mixed ligand chelate system Ph4As[Cu/Zn(mnt)(Et2dtc)] and crystal and molecular structure of Ph4As[Zn(mnt)(Et2dtc)]

The synthesis and crystal and molecular structure of the first zinc(II) mixed ligand chelate containing a dithiolene ligand (maleonitriledithiolate) and N,N- diethyldithiocarbamate are reported. The compound Ph₄As[Zn(mnt)(Et₂dtc)] crystallizes monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with four molecules in the unit cell; a=17.834(3), b=12.056(2), c=16.171(4) Å, β=93.73(2)°.The coordination geometry of the ZnS₄ unit is nearly tetrahedral, with a dihedral angle of 87.6° between the chelate rings. The structure is compared with those of both the patent compounds (Ph₄- As)₂[Zn(mnt)₂] and Zn₂(Et₂dtc)₄. Ph₄As[Zn(mnt)(Et₂dtc)] could be used as the host lattice in single- crystal ESR investigations of the planar Cu mixed ligand complex. The rhombic spin-Hamiltonian parameters g and A^Cu are indicative of a low symmetry of the incorporated [Cu(mnt)(Et₂dtc)]⁻ complex anions. In order to substantiate the experimental findings about the actual structure of the copper molecules, the principal values of g and A^Cu were recalculated by means of Extended Hückel MO calculations. However, the calculations performed for the dihedral angles between the ligand planes varying between 0° and 90° suggest that the rotation of the ligands is not larger than 10°     

Synthesis and structural characterization of adducts of silver (I) diethyldithiocarbamate with P-donor ligands

Adducts of triorganophosphines PR₃, and diphosphines R₂P(CH₂)_nPR₂ with silver(I) diethyldithiocarbamate Ag(dtc) have been synthesized and characterized both in solution (¹H, ³¹P NMR) and in the solid state (IR, single-crystal X-ray structure analysis). The topology of the structures in the solid state was found to depend on the nature of the P-donor and on the Ag(dtc):P-donor stoichiometric ratio. In the mononuclear [(Ph₂MeP)₂Ag(dtc)] and [{(:CHPPh₂)₂}Ag(dtc)], four-coordinate P₂AgS₂ environments are found, as also in [(dtc)Ag(P′-dppm-P′)₂Ag(dtc)] where the two Ag(dtc) moieties are linked by the pair of bidentate, bridging, dppm ligands; by contrast the dppp adduct Ag(dtc):dppp (1:1) is an infinite one-dimensional polymer. In the other complexes [(R₃P)Ag(dtc)]₂ structurally defined, the silver environment is PAgS₃, two of the sulfur atoms drawn from the same dtc, now an unsymmetrical chelate, and one of the sulfur atoms bridged to the second silver atom.     

An electrochemical study on the oxidation of tris(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamato)ruthenium(III)

The electrochemical oxidation of Ru(Me₂dtc)₃ (where Me₂dtc=N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate) in acetone or methylene chloride solution is a one- electron process followed by a dimerisation. This is concluded from cyclic voltammetric experiments at different scan rates, concentrations and temperatures with the use of Savéant's diagnostic criteria. NMR spectra taken at different temperatures confirm this conclusion. This behaviour is in contrast with that in coordinating solvents like acetonitrile where the one-electron oxidation is followed by addition of a solvent molecule to the coordination sphere, yielding Ru(Me₂dtc)₃(CH₃CN).     

Synthesis, molecular structure, and voltammetric behaviour of unusually stable cis-dioxobis(diisobutyldithiocarbamato)tungsten(VI)

The unusually stable cis-dioxobis(diisobutyldithiocarbamato)tungsten(VI) [WO₂(i-Bu₂dtc)₂] was synthesized by the reaction between WO₄ ²⁻ and i-Bu₂dtc⁻ in water under the air. The X-ray crystal structure and voltammetric behaviour of the complex are reported. The geometry of the WO₂S₄ core of the complex is distorted octahedral with two terminal oxo ligands in a cis position to each other. The average WO distance of the complex is 1.719 Å and the bond angle of O-W-O is 104.7°, which are in the range of those of cis-dioxotungsten(VI) complexes. The structural features of [WO₂(i-Bu₂dtc)₂] are very similar to those of corresponding cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) analogues. The complex [WO₂(i-Bu₂dtc)₂] undergoes one-electron quasi-reversible reduction followed by a homogeneous chemical reaction at more negative potential (−1.40 V vs. SSCE) than the corresponding molybdenum analogue [MoO₂(i-Bu₂dtc)₂] (−0.92 V vs. SSCE) in dichloromethane.     

Preparation and structures of the cluster dimers consisting of Rh2Mo2S4 single-cubane units connected by two bidentate N-donor ligands

Reactions of a single-cubane cluster [{Rh(cod)}₂{MoCl(dtc)}₂(μ₃-S)₄] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, dtc = diethyldithiocarbamate) with 1 equiv. of L (L = pyrazine, 4,4′-bipyridyl, trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene) in the presence of 2 equiv. of AgBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂ gave doubly bridged double-cubane clusters [({Rh(cod)}₂{Mo(dtc)}₂(μ₃-S)₄)₂(μ-L)₂][BF₄]₄, whose structures were determined by the single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Copper complex derived from <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-benzyldithiocarbazate and 3-acetylcoumarin induced apoptosis in breast cancer cell

Copper complexes have been widely studied for the anti-tumour application as cancer cells are reported to take up greater amounts of copper than normal cells. Preliminary study revealed that the newly synthesised copper complex [Cu(SBCM)₂] displayed marked anti-proliferative towards triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Therefore, Cu(SBCM)₂ has great potential to be developed as an agent for the management of breast cancer. The present study was carried out to investigate the mode of cell death induced by Cu(SBCM)₂ towards MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The inhibitory and morphological changes of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with Cu(SBCM)₂ was determined by using MTT assay and inverted light microscope, respectively. The safety profile of Cu(SBCM)₂ was also evaluated towards human dermal fibroblast (HDF) normal cells. Confirmation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were determined by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and MMP2 protein were detected with western blot analysis. Cu(SBCM)₂ significantly inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner with GI₅₀ 18.7?±?3.06 µM. Indeed, Cu(SBCM)₂ was less toxic towards HDF normal cells with GI₅₀ 31.8?±?4.0 µM. Morphological study revealed that Cu(SBCM)₂-treated MDA-MB-231 cells experienced cellular shrinkage, membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies, suggesting that Cu(SBCM)₂ induced apoptosis in the cells, which was confirmed by Annexin-V/PI flow cytometry analysis. It was also found that Cu(SBCM)₂ induced G₂/M phase cell cycle arrest towards MDA-MB-231 cells. The induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the present study is possibly due to the down-regulation of the mutant p53 and MMP2 protein. In conclusion, Cu(SBCM)₂ can be developed as a targeted therapy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.     

Conformational studies on complexes of a diimine containing a (CH2)2 spacer: crystal structures of a double-stranded Zn(II) meso-helicate and an enantiopure Δ-Cu(II) monohelicate

Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes of an N₄-donor Schiff base, containing (CH₂)₂ as spacer, have been prepared. The X-ray crystal structures of monohelical Ni(ETs) · H₂O and the homochirally crystallised Δ-Cu(ETs), as well as the meso-helicate Zn₂(ETs)₂ · MeCN [H₂ETs: N,N^′-bis(2-tosylaminobenzylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane] have been solved. In the latter, the ligand behaves as bis-bidentate, displaying a “C”-type arrangement, instead of the typical “S”-type fashion present in bis-helical dinuclear complexes.     

Multispectroscopic studies on the interaction of a copper(ii) complex of ibuprofen drug with calf thymus DNA

The interaction of copper(II)–ibuprofenato complex with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) has been explored following, UV-visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence measurement, dynamic viscosity measurements, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. In spectrophotometric studies of ct-DNA it was found that [Cu(ibp)₂]₂ can form a complex with double-helical DNA. The association constant of [Cu(ibp)₂]₂ with DNA from UV-Vis study was found to be 6.19 × 10⁴ L mol^?1. The values of K_f from fluorescence measurement clearly underscore the high affinity of [Cu(ibp)₂]₂ to DNA. The experimental results showed that the conformational changes in DNA helix induced by [Cu(ibp)₂]₂ are the reason for the fluorescence quenching of the DNA-Hoechst system. In addition, the fluorescence emission spectra of intercalated methylene blue (MB) with increasing concentrations of [Cu(ibp)₂]₂ represented a significant increase of MB intensity as to release MB from MB-DNA system. The results of circular dichroism (CD) suggested that copper(II)–ibuprofenato complex can change the conformation of DNA. In addition, the results of viscosity measurements suggest that copper(II)–ibuprofenato complex may bind with non-classical intercalative mode. From spectroscopic and hydrodynamic studies, it has been found that [Cu(ibp)₂]₂ interacts with DNA by partial intercalation mode which contains intercalation and groove properties.     

Tunable and Multichannel Terahertz Perfect Absorber Due to Tamm Plasmons with Topological Insulators

In this paper, Tamm plasmons with topological insulators in a composite structure consisting of Bi₂Se₃, spacer layer, and one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) have been demonstrated theoretically. The perfect absorption has been realized in the terahertz regime because of the optical Tamm states (OTSs) excited at the interface between Bi₂Se₃ and 1DPC. The perfect absorption can be realized for both TE and TM waves, and it is noted that the perfect absorption can be obtained at any incident angle by simultaneously changing the wavelength of incident light for TE-polarizations. Moreover, the perfect absorption can be realized at different wavelengths with the change of the chemical potential and the thickness of Bi₂Se₃. The thickness and the dielectric constant of the spacer layer will also play a vital role in the performance of the perfect absorber. Especially, the multichannel perfect absorption phenomenon can be achieved by choosing the appropriate thickness of the spacer layer. This tunable and multichannel terahertz perfect absorber has great application potential in the solar energy, photodetection, and THz biosensor.

     

Radical production by hydrogen peroxide/bicarbonate and copper uptake in mammalian cells: modulation by Cu(II) complexes

The presence of the bicarbonate/carbon dioxide pair is known to accelerate the transition metal ion-catalysed oxidation of various biotargets. It has been shown that stable Cu(II) complexes formed with imine ligands that allow redox cycling between Cu(I) and Cu(II) display diverse apoptotic effects on cell cultures. It is also reported that Cu(II)-tetraglycine can form a stable Cu(III) complex. In the present study, radical generation from H₂O₂ and H₂O₂/HCO₃⁻ in the presence of these two different classes of Cu(II) complexes was evaluated by monitoring the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 and NADH and by the quantitative determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs method). Cu(II)-imine complexes produced low levels of reactive species whereas Cu(II)-Gly-derived complexes, as well as the free Cu(II) ion, produced oxygen-derived radicals in significantly larger amounts. The effects of these two classes of complexes on mammalian tumour cell viability were equally distinct, in that Cu(II)-imine complexes caused apoptosis, entered in cell and remained almost unaffected in high levels whilst, at the same concentrations, Cu(II)-Gly peptide complexes and Cu(II) sulphate stimulated cell proliferation, with the cell managing copper efficiently. Taken together, these results highlight the different biological effects of Cu(II) complexes, some of which have been recently studied as anti-tumour drugs and radical system generators, and also update the effects of reactive oxygen species generation on cell cycle control.     

Synthesis and characterization of new oligomeric and polymeric complexes based on the [Cu(bpca)] unit [Hbpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amine]

Five novel bpca-based Cu(II) polynuclear coordination compounds [Hbpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amine] were prepared using the [Cu(bpca)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)·2H₂O (1) building block and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. We have also isolated and characterized two new crystal forms of the starting species, with lower water contents. Three of the new products are dinuclear complexes obtained by reacting 1 with different rigid or flexible spacer ligands: [Cu₂(bpca)₂(H₂O)₂(bipy)](NO₃)₂·6H₂O (2) (bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) and [Cu₂(bpca)₂(H₂O)₂(bpete)](NO₃)₂·xH₂O (3) [bpete = (E)-1,2-di(pyridin-4-yl)ethane] are linear dumbbell-like species with Cu?Cu separations of 11.075 and 13.275 Å, respectively. The third dinuclear compound, [Cu₂(bpca)₂(H₂O)₂(bpx)](NO₃)₂·8H₂O (4) [bpx = 1,4-bis((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene], with the flexible bpx ligand, assumes an unusual S-shaped conformation and shows a quite shorter Cu?Cu contact of 6.869 Å only. We have also obtained a chiral 1D neutral polymeric complex, [Cu₃(bpca)₂(bipy)₃(NO₃)₄]·6H₂O (5), that shows a central linear -Cu-bipy-Cu- chain, with all these Cu atoms connected to two lateral [Cu(bpca)(NO₃)₂]⁻ groups on two opposite sides by means of bipy spacers. An unprecedented type of Cu(II) neutral trinuclear complex, [Cu₃(bpca)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₃)₂] (6), was obtained which has a centrosymmetric structure with two external [Cu(bpca)(NO₃)₂]⁻ units chelating on a central copper atom via the two pairs of carbonyl groups of the bpca ligands. The central metal is octahedral with two axial water molecules, while the two lateral Cu atoms are in square pyramidal geometry; the Cu?Cu separation is 5.205 Å. The magnetic properties of 6 have been rationalized through a ferromagnetic coupling between the central metal ion and the peripheral ones which are coupled by a smaller antiferromagnetic interaction. DFT calculations have been also performed in order to give a better insight into magnetic interactions.     

Copper(II) PMDTA and copper(II) TMEDA complexes: precursors for the synthesis of dinuclear dicationic copper(II) complexes

Copper(II) cations coordinated with PMDTA (pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) and TMEDA (tetramethylethylenediamine) possess a high synthetic potential. The synthesis of these cations was carried out by metathesis reactions with silver salts. The cationic copper(II) complexes, [Cu(PMDTA)(Me₂CO)Cl]⁺, [Cu(PMDTA)(H₂O)Cl]⁺, [Cu(PMDTA)(DMF)]⁺, [Cu(PMDTA)Cl]⁺, [Cu(PMDTA)OAc]⁺, [Cu(PMDTA)(MeCN)₂]²⁺, [Cu₂(TMEDA)₂Cl₃]⁺ and [Cu(TMEDA)(MeCN)₃]²⁺ were synthesised as PF₆ salts, crystallised and characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Sterically-induced synthesis of 3d–4f one-dimensional compounds: A new route towards 3d–4f single chain magnets

Hexanuclear lanthanide complexes have been used as molecular precursors to built 3d–4f molecular chains. These complexes were originally targeted as building blocks for the synthesis of lanthanides-containing coordination polymers but reacting them with the 3d molecular precursor [Cu(opba)]^2? lead to Ln(III)–Cu(II) hetero-bimetallic chains with general formula [Ln(NO₃)(DMSO)₂Cu(opba)(DMSO)₂]_∞ with Ln = Gd–Er. The reaction mechanism can be explained by a sterically-induced reaction where the attack of the [Cu(opba)]^2? moiety is driven by the hexanuclear lanthanide clusters geometry. Static magnetic properties of the Gd- and Dy-based chains have been investigated as well as the dynamic magnetic properties of the Dy-containing compound. These studies confirmed that this chemical strategy can possibly yield to 3d–4f single chain magnets.     

Nucleophilic addition and various species formed in the Cu(II)NCO−3(5)-methylpyrazole system

From the Cu(II)NCO⁻3(5)-methylpyrazole (mpz) system two compounds Cu(NCO)₂(mpz)₂ and four compounds Cu(mpz·NCO)₂ were isolated. The latter compounds contain carbamoylmethylpyrazolate anions as chelate ligands and are coligand isomers of the cyanate compounds. According to the results of indirect structural methods, the Cu(NCO)₂(mpz)₂ complexes have pseudooctahedral structures and differ in their polyhedron distortions. The Cu(mpz·NCO)₂ complexes show tetragonally distorted six or five coordinate structures, possibly differing also by the methyl group position on the pyrazole ring.     

Copper(I)-incorporation into spinach apoplastocyanin

Spinach plastocyanin was converted into the apoprotein. CuSO₄ and oxidized Cu(II)- thionein reacted with the apoprotein to Cu(II) plastocyanin. Cu(I) transfer from Cu(I)0-thionein was only 15%. The structural analogue of the copper thiolate chromophore [Cu(I)(thiourea)₃]Cl as well as [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]ClO₄ successfully formed the Cu(I)- holoprotein. Characteristic circular dichroism bands at θ₂₈₄ (?5300 deg·cm²·dmol^?1 and θ₃₁₀ (+3300 deg·cm²·dmol^?1) were seen. Upon oxidation with ferricyanide and dialysis against phosphate buffer the correct Cu(II) binding into the active centre of Cu(II) plastocyanin was confirmed by EPR-measurements. The use of [Cu(I)(thiourea)₃] Cl as a convenient Cu(I) source for reconstitution studies on copper proteins is highly recommended.     

Understanding the 7‐Cys module amplification of C. neoformans metallothioneins: how high capacity Cu‐binding polypeptides are built to neutralize host nutritional immunity

Cryptococcus neoformans metallothioneins (MTs), CnMT1 and CnMT2, have been identified as essential infectivity and virulence factors of this pathogen. Both MTs are unusually long Cu‐thioneins, exhibiting protein architecture and metal‐binding abilities compatible with the hypothesis of resulting from three and five tandem repetitions of 7‐Cys motives, respectively, each of them folding into Cu₅‐clusters. Through the study of the Zn(II)‐ and Cu(I)‐binding capabilities of several CnMT1 truncated mutants, we show that a 7‐Cys segment of CnMT1 folds into Cu₅‐species, of additive capacity when joined in tandem. All the obtained Cu‐complexes share practically similar architectural features, if judging by their almost equivalent CD fingerprints, and they also share their capacity to restore copper tolerance in MT‐devoid yeast cells. Besides the analysis of the modular composition of these long fungal MTs, we evaluate the features of the Cys‐rich stretch spacer and flanking sequences that allow the construction of stable metal clusters by adjacent union of binding modules. Overall, our data support a mechanism by which some microbial MTs may have evolved to enlarge their original metal co‐ordination capacity under the specific selective pressure of counteracting the Cu‐based immunity mechanisms evolved by the infected hosts.     

A trigonal-prismatic Ag(I) complex and an octahedral Cu(II) complex incorporating with oxamide Ni(II) complex ligand: Syntheses, crystal structures and oxidative nuclease activities

A mononuclear macrocyclic complex Ni^IIL^3a (L^3a = dianion of 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9,10-cyclohexyl-7,12-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene), which shows high DNA cleavage activity in the presence of H₂O₂, was reported in our previous work. Considering that many systems for natural enzyme-mediated DNA cleavage contain two or more metal active sites, two new trinuclear complexes [Cu(NiL^3a)₂(dca)₂]·2CH₃OH (abbreviated as Cu(NiL^3a)₂) and [Ag(NiL^3a)₂(NO₃)]·2CH₃OH·0.5H₂O (abbreviated as Ag(NiL^3a)₂) were synthesized in this work, where dca is the dicyanamide. The complexes were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. The central Cu(II) or Ag(I) atom is linked to two [NiL^3a] ligands by oxamido bridges forming a trinuclear structure. In Cu(NiL^3a)₂, the central Cu(II) ion is in an octahedral coordination geometry. Whereas in Ag(NiL^3a)₂, the central Ag(I) ion is in a rarely reported trigonal-prismatic coordination geometry. The DNA cleavage behavior of the complexes in the presence of H₂O₂ was studied in detail. Comparing with the NiL^3a, the trinuclear complex Ag(NiL^3a)₂ nearly has no ability to cleave DNA, whereas Cu(NiL^3a)₂ is a much better DNA cleavage agent. Cu(NiL^3a)₂ can efficiently convert supercoiled DNA to nicked DNA with a rate constant of 0.074 ± 0.002 min⁻¹ when 40 μM Cu(NiL^3a)₂ and 0.6 mM H₂O₂ are used. The cleavage mechanism between the complex Cu(NiL^3a)₂ and plasmid DNA is likely to involve singlet oxygen as reactive oxygen species. Circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy indicate that both Cu(NiL^3a)₂ and NiL^3a bind to DNA by a groove binding mode, and the binding between Cu(NiL^3a)₂ and DNA is much stronger than that between NiL^3a and DNA. The present results may provide some information for the design of efficient multinuclear artificial nucleases.