Synthesis and structural characterization of neutral “3 + 2” oxorhenium and oxotechnetium complexes of the 2-mercaptoethyl-N-glycine (SNO)/2,2′-bipyridine (NN) mixed ligand system

Neutral, hexacoordinated “3 + 2” mixed ligand oxorhenium (1) and oxotechnetium (2) complexes of the general formula MO[SNO][NN], where M = Re or ⁹⁹Tc, SNO is 2-mercaptoethyl-N-glycine and NN is 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), were synthesized by simultaneous action of the tridentate SNO and the bidentate NN ligand on ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂ or ⁹⁹TcO-gluconate precursors in a 1:1:1 molar ratio. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. X-ray structure determination of rhenium complex 1 revealed a distorted octahedral coordination geometry where the SNO donor atoms of the tridentate ligand and one bpy nitrogen atom occupy the equatorial positions of the octahedron, whereas the second bpy nitrogen atom and the oxo-group fill the apical positions.     

Photophysics of ruthenium(II) complexes carrying amino acids in the ligand 2,2′-bipyridine and intramolecular electron transfer from methionine to photogenerated Ru(III)

New ruthenium(II) complexes carrying methionine and phenylalanine in the bipyridine ligand, [Ru(bpy)₂(4-Me-4′-(CONH-l-methionine methyl ester)-2,2′-bipyridine)](PF₆)₂ (IV) and [Ru(bpy)₂(4-Me-4′-(CONH-l-phenylalanine ethyl ester)-2,2′-bpy)](PF₆)₂(V) have been synthesized and characterized and their photophysical properties studied. Flash photolysis measurements of complex IV, in the presence of an electron acceptor, methyl viologen (MV²⁺) show that an intermolecular electron transfer from the excited state of Ru(II) in complex IV, to MV²⁺ takes place, forming Ru(III) and the methyl viologen cation radical, MV⁺. The formation of MV⁺ in this system is confirmed using time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. This intermolecular electron transfer is followed by intramolecular electron transfer from the thioether moiety (methionine) to the photogenerated Ru(III), regenerating Ru(II).     

Nickel-quinolones interaction. Part 5-Biological evaluation of nickel(II) complexes with first-, second- and third-generation quinolones

The nickel(II) complexes with the quinolone antibacterial agents oxolinic acid, flumequine, enrofloxacin and sparfloxacin in the presence of the N,N′-donor heterocyclic ligand 2,2′-bipyridylamine have been synthesized and characterized. The quinolones act as bidentate ligands coordinated to Ni(II) ion through the pyridone oxygen and a carboxylato oxygen. The crystal structure of [(2,2′-bipyridylamine)bis(sparfloxacinato)nickel(II)] has been determined by X-ray crystallography. UV study of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) has shown that they bind to CT DNA with [(2,2′-bipyridylamine)bis(flumequinato)nickel(II)] exhibiting the highest binding constant to CT DNA. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes have shown that in the presence of CT DNA the complexes can bind to CT DNA by the intercalative binding mode which has also been verified by DNA solution viscosity measurements. Competitive study with ethidium bromide (EB) has shown that the complexes can displace the DNA-bound EB indicating that they bind to DNA in strong competition with EB. The complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human or bovine serum albumin protein having relatively high binding constant values. The biological properties of the [Ni(quinolonato)₂(2,2′-bipyridylamine)] complexes have been evaluated in comparison to the previously reported Ni(II) quinolone complexes [Ni(quinolonato)₂(H₂O)₂], [Ni(quinolonato)₂(2,2′-bipyridine)] and [Ni(quinolonato)₂(1,10-phenanthroline)]. The quinolones and their Ni(II) complexes have been tested for their antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. They have been also tested in vitro for their inhibitory activity against soybean lipoxygenase.     

Tuning redox and spin state properties of Fe(II) N-heterocyclic complexes via electronic/steric influence on metal-ligand binding

A series of complexes with the general formula [Fe(L)₂]²⁺, where L represents the tridentating 6-(N-3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)2,2^′-bipyridine (L⁴); 6-(N-pyrazolyl-1-ylmethyl)-2,2^′-bipyridine (L⁵); and 6-(N-3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl-1-ylmethyl)-2,2^′-bipyridine (L⁶), were prepared and characterized. The room temperature solution magnetic susceptibility and redox properties of these compounds were investigated as a function of stepwise variation in the ligand structure. The Fe(III/II) couple was characterized by way of cyclic voltammetry using aprotic solvent conditions (acetonitrile) where each complex was observed to have reversible behavior. NMR methodology was used for measuring the magnetic susceptibilities where both [Fe(L⁴)₂]²⁺ and Fe(L⁵)₂]²⁺ exhibited diamagnetic low spin behavior; however, [Fe(L⁶)₂]²⁺ measured a μ_eff of 4.1 Bohr-magnetons indicating spin equilibrium predominantly in the high spin state.     

(1,3-Bis(2′-pyridylimino)isoindolinato)nickel(II) complexes of phenylcyanamido ligands: crystal structure, electronic absorption spectroscopy and solvent adduct studies

Complexes of the formula Ni(L)X, where L=1,3-bis(2′-pyridylimino)isoindolinato and X=Cl, Br, N₃, NCS, 2-Clpcyd, 4-Clpcyd, 2,3-Cl₂pcyd,2,6-Cl₂pcyd, 2,4,5-Cl₃pcyd and 2,3,5,6-Cl₄pcyd, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, and IR, ¹H NMR and UV---Vis spectroscopies. A crystal structure determination of Ni(L)(2-Clpcyd) showed nickel in a distorted square planar coordination sphere of nitrogen donor atoms in which the phenylcyanamido ligand is coordinated to Ni(II) via the terminal nitrogen. The solvent coordination equilibria of Ni(L)(pcyd) complexes was also investigated and the results suggest that both electronic and steric factors play important roles in determining the stability of the solvated complex.     

Tris-chelated complexes of nickel(II) with bipyridine derivatives: DNA binding and cleavage,BSA binding,molecular docking,and cytotoxicity

Abstract

Two nickel(II) complexes with substituted bipyridine ligand of the type [Ni(NN)₃](ClO₄)₂, where NN is 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dimethylbpy) (1) and 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dimethoxybpy) (2), have been synthesized, characterized, and their interaction with DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) studied by different physical methods. X-ray crystal structure of 1 shows a six-coordinate complex in a distorted octahedral geometry. DNA-binding studies of 1 and 2 reveal that both complexes sit in DNA groove and then interact with neighboring nucleotides differently; 2 undergoes a partial intercalation. This is supported by molecular-docking studies, where hydrophobic interactions are apparent between 1 and DNA as compared to hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, and π–π interactions between 2 and DNA minor groove. Moreover, the two complexes exhibit oxidative cleavage of supercoiled plasmid DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as an activator in the order of 1?>?2. In terms of interaction with BSA, the results of spectroscopic methods and molecular docking show that 1 binds with BSA only via hydrophobic contacts while 2 interacts through hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding. It has been extensively demonstrated that the nature of the methyl- and methoxy-groups in ligands is a strong determinant of the bioactivity of nickel(II) complexes. This may justify the above differences in biomolecular interactions. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes on human carcinoma cells lines (MCF-7, HT-29, and U-87) has been examined by MTT assay. According to our observations, 1 and 2 display cytotoxicity activity against selected cell lines.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Preparation and photophysical studies of copper(I) and ruthenium(II) complexes of 4,4′-bis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine

We report the synthesis of a new ligand, 4,4′-bis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, optimised for binding to copper(I) and with pendant functionality that can eventually be developed into metallodendritic structures. The synthesis and photophysical properties of complexes with copper(I) and ruthenium(II) are reported. The solid state structure of the complex [Cu(1)₂][PF₆] · MeCN (1 = 4,4′-bis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) is also described.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and DNA-binding properties of a new copper (II) complex containing mixed-ligands of 2,2′-bipyridine and p-methylbenzoate

A novel copper complex of [Cu(bpy)(pba)₂ · H₂O] · 0.5H₂O (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pba = p-methylbenzoate) was synthesized. The interaction of the complex to native fish sperm DNA was investigated through electrochemistry, electronic absorption spectroscopy and viscosity experiments. In the X-ray crystallography structure, the copper (II) ion is coordinated by two oxygen atoms of two p-methylbenzoate groups, two nitrogen atoms of 2,2′-bipyridine and one water molecule. The observed changes in the physicochemical features of the copper (II) complex on binding to DNA suggested that the complex bind to DNA with intercalation mode via 2,2′-bipyridine ring into DNA base pairs. Electrochemical studies revealed that the complex prefer to bind to DNA in Cu(I) form rather than Cu(II) oxidation state form. Additionally, the nuclease activity of the title complex was assessed by gel electrophoresis assay and the results shown that the copper complex can cleave pBR322 DNA effectively in the presence of ascorbic acid.     

Synthesis and characterization of β-diketonato ruthenium(II) complexes with two 4-bromo or protected 4-ethynyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Two new mononuclear mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes with acetylacetonate ion (2,4-pentanedionate, acac) and functionalized bipyridine (bpy) in position 4, [Ru(bpyBr)₂(acac)](PF₆) (2; bpyBr = 4-Bromo-2,2′-bipyridine, acac = 2,4-pentanedionate ion) and [Ru(bpyOH)₂(acac)](PF₆) (3; bpyOH = 4-[2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol]-2,2′-bipyridine) were prepared as candidates for building blocks. The ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV-Vis, electrochemistry and FAB mass spectral data of these complexes are presented.     

Syntheses, characterization and X-ray crystal structures of a mono- and a penta-nuclear nickel(II) complex with oximato Schiff base ligands

A mononuclear octahedral nickel(II) complex [Ni(HL¹)₂](SCN)₂ (1) and an unusual penta-nuclear complex [{(NiL²)(μ-SCN)}₄Ni(NCS)₂]·2CH₃CN (2) where HL¹ = 3-(2-aminoethylimino)butan-2-one oxime and HL² = 3-(hydroxyimino)butan-2-ylidene)amino)propylimino)butan-2-one oxime have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The mono-condensed ligand, HL¹, was prepared by the 1:1 condensation of the 1,2-diaminoethane with diacetylmonoxime in methanol under high dilution. Complex 1 is found to be a mer isomer and the amine hydrogen atoms are involved in extensive hydrogen bonding with the thiocyanate anions. The dicondensed ligand, HL², was prepared by the 1:2 condensation of the 1,3-diaminopropane with diacetylmonoxime in methanol. The central nickel(II) in 2 is coordinated by six nitrogen atoms of six thiocyanate groups, four of which utilize their sulphur atoms to connect four NiL² moieties to form a penta-nuclear complex and it is unique in the sense that this is the first thiocyanato bridged penta-nuclear nickel(II) compound with Schiff base ligands.     

Effect of anion and ligand ratio in self-assembled silver(I) complexes of 4-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and their derivatives with bipyridine ligands

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of the novel bidentate ligand 4-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine (PMP-41, 1) has been developed and its coordination behavior with Ag(I) has been studied. Reaction of the PMP-41 ligand with the silver(I) salts of tetrafluoroborate , trifluoromethanesulfonate (Otf⁻), and trifluoroacetate (tfa⁻) produces discrete molecules and polymeric structures that depend on the varying degrees of interaction of the corresponding anion with the metal centers. When the proportion of ligand to metal is 1:1, a bimetallic box conformation is obtained with AgBF₄ and AgOtf (2 and 5, respectively). Varying the ratio to 2:1, a polymeric chain of bimetallic boxes is constructed when the salt is used (3). With Agtfa two distinct structural motifs are formed (8A and 8B), arising from the crystallization process of using two different solvent systems. Further reaction of the AgBF₄/PMP-41 and AgOtf/PMP-41 adducts with the chelating 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine or the bridging 4,4′-bipyridine ligands affords dimeric and bridged structural motifs, depending upon the coordination ability of the corresponding bipyridine fragment. Addition of the 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligand to a solution containing AgBF₄ and PMP-41 results the capping of the silver atoms by the bipyridine fragment 4, and the disruption of the bimetallic box in the AgOtf(PMP-41) structure to generate an infinite chain in a 1:1:1 ratio of the reactants 6. As expected, the 4,4′-bipyridine acts as a bridging ligand by connecting [AgOtf(PMP-41)]₂ molecules, which results in the formation of compound 7. Low-temperature luminescence spectra were also collected for all compounds and are compared.     

Interaction of copper(II) and nickel(II) with a bis-amide ligand functionalized with pyridine moieties: Thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies in aqueous solution

We synthesized a new bis-amide ligand derived from the l(+)-tartaric acid. We then determined its protonation constants and the stability constants of the copper(II) and nickel(II) chelates by potentiometry as well as ESI-MS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. We found that both metal ions are able to induce the deprotonation and the coordination of an amide nitrogen donor atom. In the case of copper complexes, the data show the formation of two major species: Cu₂(L₂H₋₃)⁺ and Cu₂(LH₋₄). EPR and XAS experiments led us to precise the relative structure of these compounds. In Cu₂(L₂H₋₃)⁺, each metal center is coordinated by pyridinic and amidic nitrogen atoms of one ligand and by nitrogen and oxygen atoms from pyridine and hydroxyl moieties from the other one. In Cu₂(LH₋₄), the copper centers are coordinated by pyridinic and amidic nitrogen atoms, as well as a deprotonated hydroxyl group of the ligand. In this latter complex, the lower value of the Cu-Cu distance determined from EXAFS experiments and compared to the one of the solid species likely involve the formation of an exogeneous hydroxyl bridge between the two copper centers. With Ni(II) ions, the only one major species is the mononuclear Ni(LH₋₂) complex, in which Ni(II) is held in an octahedral environment with the metal center chelated by the two pyridinic and the two amidic nitrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms from water molecules.     

Cyanato bridged binuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with pyridylpyrazole ligand: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Binuclear cyanate bridged nickel(II) complex [Ni(L)(NCO)]₂(PF₆)₂ (1) and copper(II) complex [Cu(L)(NCO)]₂(PF₆)₂ (2), where L is N,N-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)aminomethylpyridine, a tetradentate N₄-coordinated ligand have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical method. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 have been studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure analysis reveals that both nickel(II) and copper(II) center are coordinated in distorted octahedral fashion and coordination mode of cyanate ligand is end-to-end (μ-1,3) for complex 1 but it is double end-on (μ-1,1) mode for complex 2. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data, measured from 2 to 300 K, show weak antiferromagnetic interaction with J value −6.2(1) cm⁻¹ for complex 1, whereas complex 2 has very weak ferromagnetic interaction with J value +0.5(1) cm⁻¹.     

Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry,and photochemistry of a series of M(bpym)2Cl2 (M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)) complexes. Precursor complexes in the preparation of polymetallic systems

The synthesis, aqueous absorption and reflectance spectra, cyclic voltammetry and ligand field photochemistry of a series of M(bpym)₂Cl₂ (M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and bpym=2,2′-bipyrimidine) are reported here. Ligand field electronic spectral assignments are made by comparison to analogous M(bpy)₂Cl₂(s) (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) and M(bpym)₃²⁺ complexes. Ligand field absorption maxima are shifted to lower energy as a result of bpym loss vs. M(bpym)₃²⁺ complexes. Metal to ligand charge transfer absorption energies increase as a result of d_M orbital stabilization vs. M(bpym)₃²⁺ complexes. Cyclic voltammetry indicates ring opening upon reduction of the complexes. The complexes are photochemically inert (φ_max<0.002) at the irradiated wavelengths.     

Structure and photophysics of a Schiff base-bipyridine ligand and its rhenium(I) tricarbonylchloro complex

A new Schiff base-bipyridine ligand, [4-(4′-methyl)-2,2′-bipyridyl)imine]-2-hydroxybenzene, was prepared, characterized and its X-ray crystal structure obtained. The rhenium(I) tricarbonylchloro complex of this novel derivative of 2,2′-bipyridine was also prepared and characterized. The photophysics of both of these compounds were explored. The absorption spectrum of the Schiff base in acetonitrile possessed bipyridine based π → π^∗ transitions at 246 and 278 nm along with a phenolic charge transfer absorption at 360 nm. Acetonitrile solutions of this compound were found to be luminescent at room temperature with an emission maximum at 435 nm. The rhenium(I) metal complex prepared from the Schiff base exhibited wavelength dependent metal-centered and ligand-centered emission at wavelengths shorter than the analogous rhenium(I) compound prepared from 4′-formyl-4-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine.     

Silver coordination complexes of 2-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and their bipyridine derivatives

Reaction of 2-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine (PMP-21) with the silver(I) salts of tetrafluoroborate , triflate (Otf⁻), and trifluoroacetate (tfa⁻) affords dinuclear complexes (2-4), where the ligand bridges the two silver centers, and the anions interact with the metal centers to varying degrees. Further reaction of AgBF₄ and AgOtf with reaction solutions containing PMP-21 and either the bidentate 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-bipyridine ligands produce dimeric and bridged structural motifs. The ability of 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine to chelate and the 4,4′-bipyridine to serve as a connector between metal centers, allows the construction of coordinative structures where the effect of ligand ratio and either interacting or non interacting anions influence the silver coordination environment, allowing it to take on several geometries including trigonal bipyramidal, 5, both T-shaped and tetrahedral in a single structure, 6 and 8, trigonal pyramidal, 7, and trigonal planar, 9. Structures 2, 3, and 4 display comparable Ag-Ag contacts ranging from 2.7979(10) to 3.0538(4) Å, with a corresponding weakening of the metallophilic interaction when a bipyridine ligand is coordinated. Low-temperature luminescence spectra were collected for all compounds and are compared.     

Nickel-quinolones interaction. Part 2 - Interaction of nickel(II) with the antibacterial drug oxolinic acid

The mononuclear nickel(II) complexes with the first-generation quinolone antibacterial agent oxolinic acid in the presence or absence of nitrogen-donor heterocyclic ligands (2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline or pyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. The experimental data suggest that oxolinic acid acts as deprotonated bidentate ligand coordinated to Ni(II) ion through the ketone and carboxylato oxygens. The crystal structure of (2,2′-bipyridine)bis(oxolinato) nickel(II), 2 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes recorded in dmso solution and in 1/2 dmso/buffer (containing 150 mM NaCl and 15 mM trisodium citrate at pH 7.0) solution have shown that in the presence of calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) they can bind to CT DNA by the intercalative binding mode. UV study of the interaction of the complexes with CT DNA has shown that the complexes bind to CT DNA and bis(aqua)bis(oxolinato) nickel(II) exhibits the highest binding constant to CT DNA. Competitive study with ethidium bromide (EB) has shown that the complexes can displace the DNA-bound EB indicating that they bind to DNA in strong competition with EB. The complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human or bovine serum albumin protein having relatively high binding constant values.     

Synthesis and characterization of Os(II)(dpop′) (dpop′ = dipyrido(2,3-a;3′,2′-j)phenazine) complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine(bpy); 2,2′-bipyrimidine(bpm) and 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine(dpp)

New Os(II) complexes including [Os(dpop′)₂](PF₆)₂ (dpop′= dipyrido(2,3-a;3′,2′-j)phenazine) and a series of mixed ligand [Os(dpop′)(N-N)Cl]PF₆ (N-N = 2,2′-bipyridine(bpy); 2,2′-bipyrimidine(bpm) and 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine(dpp)) were synthesized. The Os dπ → dpop′ π^∗ MLCT transitions for [Os(dpop′)₂]²⁺ are observed at lower energy than for Os dπ → tpy π^∗ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) and Os dπ → tppz π^∗ (tppz = 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) (The ligand abbreviations tpd, tpp and tpypz have also appeared in the literature for 2,3,5,6- tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in addition to tppz.) MLCT transitions in the comparative [Os(tpy)₂]²⁺ and [Os(tppz)₂]²⁺ complexes. The Os dπ → dpop′ π^∗ MLCT transitions are observed at lower energy in mixed bidentate ligand N-N systems compared with [Os(dpop′)₂]²⁺. Cyclic voltammetry shows more positive osmium oxidation, and less negative ligand reduction potentials for [Os(dpop′)₂]²⁺ as compared to [Os(tpy)₂]²⁺ and [Os(tppz)₂]²⁺ complexes. The osmium oxidation potentials in mixed ligand [Os(dpop′)(N-N)Cl]⁺ complexes are at less positive potential than for the [Os(dpop′)₂]²⁺ ion. NMR results show different chemical shifts for ring protons either trans or cis to dpop′ in mixed ligand systems, and also show two geometrical isomers for the [Os(dpop′)(dpp)Cl]⁺ complex. The [Os(dpop′)(dpp)Cl]⁺ geometric isomer with the pyrazine ring of dpp trans to dpop′ is found more predominate by 1.0/0.7 over the isomer with the pyrazine ring of dpp cis to dpop′ and that inter-conversion of geometric isomers does not occur in room temperature solution on the NMR timescale.     

A model study of alternative approach toward a class of palladium(II) based self-assembly

A different approach developed for the preparation of palladium(II) based complexes [(Pd(bpy))_x(L)_y](NO₃)_2x is modelled by using 4-phenylpyridine as ligand (L = 1). Various solvent systems are inspected to optimize the reaction condition for the preparation of the model complex [Pd(bpy)(4-phenylpyridine)₂](NO₃)₂. The model complex is obtained quantitatively as a single product from a 1:1:2 mixture of Pd(NO₃)₂, 2,2′-bipyridine and 4-phenylpyridine when stirred at room temperature in CH₃CN:H₂O (1:1). The same reaction is performed in CD₃CN:D₂O (1:1) to monitor the progress of the reaction by recording ¹H NMR. The kinetic products that formed initially got self-healed to give the desired product with in 6 h. However, in DMSO-d₆ spontaneous arrangement leading to the targeted complex was observed and no kinetic product could be detected. When a similar reaction is performed with ethylenediamine instead of 2,2′-bipyridine a mixture of compounds are observed. Theoretical calculation throws some light on the principle behind the success of this method for the bpy based systems. The assembly, [Pd(bpy)(4-phenylpyridine)₂](NO₃)₂ has been characterised by NMR, ESI-MS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods.     

Topoisomerase II inhibition activity of new square planar Ni(II) complexes containing N-substituted thiosemicarbazones: Synthesis, spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and electrochemical characterization

New Ni(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes containing triphenylphosphine namely [Ni(Sal-mtsc)(PPh₃)](2) and [Ni(Nap-mtsc)(PPh₃)] (3) (where Sal-mtsc = salicylaldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone and Nap-mtsc = 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) have been synthesised and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. In all the complexes the thiosemicarbazone ligand coordinated to nickel through ONS mode. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes has been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile. The new complexes were subjected to test their DNA topoisomerase II inhibition efficiency. The complex [Ni(Nap-mtsc)(PPh₃)] (3) showed 95% inhibition. The observed inhibition activity was found to be more potent than the activity of conventional standard Nalidixic acid.