New advances in the study on the interaction of [Cr(phen)2(dppz)]3+ complex with biological models; association to transporting proteins

The present study reports a detailed investigation with the interaction of [Cr(phen)₂(dppz)]³⁺ with serum albumins, the key protein for the transport of drugs in the blood plasma, which allows us to understand further the role of [Cr(phen)₂(dppz)]³⁺ as sensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).Chromium(III) complex [Cr(phen)₂(dppz)]³⁺, (dppz = dipyridophenazine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), where dppz is a planar bidentate ligand with an extended π system, has been found to bind strongly with bovine and human serum albumins (BSA and HSA) with an intrinsic binding constants, K_b, of (1.7 ± 0.3) × 10⁵ M^− 1 and (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10⁵ M^− 1 at 295 K, respectively. The interactions of serum albumins with [Cr(phen)₂(dppz)]³⁺ were assessed employing fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The serum albumins-[Cr(phen)₂(dppz)]³⁺ interactions caused conformational changes with the loss of helical stability of the protein and local perturbation in the domain IIA binding pocket. The relative fluorescence intensity of the albumin (BSA or HSA) bound to the Cr(III) complex decreased, suggesting that perturbation around the Trp 214 residue took place. The analysis of the thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH, ΔS indicated that the hydrophobic interactions played a major role in both BSA-Cr(III) and HSA-Cr(III) association processes. The binding distances and transfer efficiencies for BSA-Cr(III) and HSA-Cr(III) binding reactions were calculated according to the Föster theory of non-radiation energy transfer. All these experimental results suggests that [Cr(phen)₂(dppz)]³⁺ binds to serum albumins, by which these proteins could act as carriers of this complex for further applications in PDT.     

The high-energy intraconfigurational spin-forbidden bands in the spectra of quadrate chromium(III) complexes

The high-energy intraconfigurational spin-forbidden bands expected in the region of 20 000 cm⁻¹ have been uncovered in the spectra of a number of trans-diacidobis(ethylenediamine) chromium(III)complexes. These bands have been fitted to the quadrate components of the cubic transition ⁴A_2g → ²T_2g including spin-orbit interaction. Two interconfigurational spin-forbidden bands in the spectrum of trans-[Cr(en)₂(dmf)₂](ClO₄)₃ have been uncovered and interpretted.     

Interactions of Chromium (III) and Chromium (VI) with Bovine Serum Albumin Studied by UV Spectroscopy,Circular Dichroism,and Fluorimetry

In the present work, the interactions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with chromium (III) chloride, potassium dichromate, and chromate were studied by fluorescence, circular dichroism, and UV–vis absorbance spectroscopy. Fluorescence quenching of BSA by chromium (III) was found to be a dynamic process in the beginning, turning static at later stages. Spectroscopic data show that both dichromate and chromate bind in similar electrostatic fashion to BSA and does not follow the fluorescence quenching observation for chromium (III).     

DNA photocleavage activity of cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes containing dpq ligand

Four cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes, [Co(phen)_3−n(dpq)_n]³⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpq = dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]-quinoxaline) (n = 0, 1, 2, and 3) were synthesized and the influences of the dpq ligand on the photophysical properties, electrochemical properties, DNA binding affinities, as well as photonuclease activities of the complexes, were examined in detail. The presence of dpq ligand increases the DNA binding affinities of the corresponding complexes remarkably with respect to [Co(phen)₃]³⁺. With the sequential substitution of phen ligand by dpq ligand, the ¹O₂ quantum yields of the corresponding complexes are enhanced greatly. As a result, the photonuclease activities follow the order of [Co(dpq)₃]³⁺ > [Co(phen)(dpq)₂]³⁺ > [Co(phen)₂(dpq)]³⁺ ? [Co(phen)₃]³⁺. It was found all the examined complexes can generate OH upon UV irradiation, and OH is also involved in DNA photocleavage as reactive oxygen species.     

Effect of organic Cr(III) complexes on chromium speciation

Abstract

Chromium speciation in the presence of organic chromium(III) complexes was investigated using solid-phase extraction. The adsorptions of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) on alumina and pumice powder were studied. Maximum sorption of Cr(VI) was obtained by alumina (90.22%), while Cr(III) was highly adsorbed onto pumice powder (86.65%). This result shows that pumice may be a new and promising adsorbent for Cr(III). The experimental equilibrium data for Cr(VI) adsorption onto alumina and Cr(III) sorption onto pumice were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The separation and adsorption of Cr(VI), Cr(III) and five organic chromium(III) complexes onto pumice and alumina at different pH values were evaluated. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), oxalate, citrate, glycine, alanine and 8-hydroxyqinoline were used as ligands. Sorption of alanine and ethylenediaminetetraacetate complexes was higher onto alumina than pumice at pH>3. The enhancement of adsorption of chromium(III) complexes onto pumice was achieved by surface modification of pumice using a surfactant, namely hexadecyltrimethylammoniumbromür (HDTMA). The presence of surfactant enhanced the adsorption of Cr(III) citrate, oxalate, glycine and 8-hydroxyquinoline complexes onto pumice. However, the adsorption of EDTA and alanine complexes decreased, with ratio of 13.40% and 4.00% respectively. Here we demonstrate that chromium speciation methods depending on adsorption onto various adsorbents including alumina may lead erroneous results. Analytical measurements were performed by flame AAS, data were obtained by standard addition method.     

In vitro studies on the DNA impairments induced by Cr(III) complexes with cellular reductants

The influence of Cr(III) complexes with ascorbic acid, cysteine and glutathione on DNA has been studied spectrophotometrically and chromatographically. The toxic and genotoxic activities of these complexes were also investigated. It was found that these complexes bind to DNA weaker than hexaaqua Cr(III) complexes. It could be explained through the greater strength of the bi- and tridentate ligands coordinated to chromium in comparison to water molecules. The formation of DNA-DNA intermolecular bonds and DNA interstrand cross-linking has been also observed. These complexes were found to be non-toxic and non-genotoxic in the bacterial test.     

Iron(III), chromium(III) and cobalt(II) complexes with squarate: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

The preparation and variable temperature-magnetic investigation of three squarate-containing complexes of formula [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (1) [Cr₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (2) and [Co(C₄O₄)(H₂O)₄]_n (3) [H₂C₄O₄ = 3.4-dihydroxycyclobutene-1,2-dione (squaric acid)] together with the crystal structures of 1 and 3 are reported. Complex 1 contains discrete centrosymmetric [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄] diiron(II) units where the iron pairs are joined by a di-μ-hydroxo bridge and two squarate ligands acting as bridging groups through adjacent oxygen atoms. Two coordinated water molecules in cis position complete the octahedral environment at each iron atom in 1. The iron-iron distance with the dinuclear unit is 3.0722(6) Å and the angle at the hydroxo bridge is 99.99(7)°, values which compare well with the corresponding ones in the isostructural compound 2 (2.998 Å and 99.47°) whose structure was reported previously. The crystal structure of 3 contains neutral chains of squarato-O¹,O³-bridged cobalt(II) ions where four coordinated water molecules complete the six-coordination at each cobalt atom. The cobalt-cobalt separation across the squarate bridge is 8.0595(4) Å. A relatively important intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling occurs in 1 whereas it is very weak in 2, the exchange pathway being the same [J = −14.4 (1) and −0.07 cm⁻¹ (2), the spin Hamiltonian being defined as ]. A weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interaction between the high-spin cobalt(II) ions occurs in 3 (J = −0.30 cm⁻¹). The magnitude and nature of these magnetic interactions are discussed in the light of their respective structures and they are compared with those reported for related systems.     

DNA binding properties of novel cytotoxic gold(III) complexes of terpyridine ligands: the impact of steric and electrostatic effects

Four gold(III) complexes of terpyridine derivatives 1–4 have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. In vitro data demonstrated that all of them showed higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin against the human non-small-cell lung cancer cell line (A-549), the human stomach carcinoma cell line (SGC-7901), the human cervix carcinoma cell line (HELA), the human colon carcinoma cell line (HCT-116), the human liver carcinoma cell line (BEL-7402), the murine leukemia cell line (P-388) and the human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60). Complex 3 exhibits the highest activity, with growth inhibition rates of over 80% at 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ against the A-549, HCT-116 and HELA tumor cell lines. Interestingly, ligands L1–L4 are also very cytotoxic against the cell lines tested. Complexes 1–4 are stable in aqueous solution for 2 days in the presence of the biological reducing agent glutathione. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry data showed that DNA isolated from cells treated with complexes 1 and 3 contained gold with gold-to-nucleotide ratios of approximately 1:6,400 and 1:4,900, respectively. Fluorescence titration, UV and circular dichroism analyses proved that the steric and electrostatic effects of the ligand remarkably influence the interactions of their gold(III) complexes with DNA. The DNA binding ability of the complexes has been correlated with their cytotoxicity, which could potentially provide a new rationale for the future design of terpyridine-based metal complexes with antitumor potential.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available to authorized users in the online version of this article at .     

Synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of mixed ligand tris(polypyridyl)chromium(III) complexes, [Cr(phen)2L]

A series of new heteroleptic, tris(polypyridyl)chromium(III) complexes, [Cr(phen)₂L]³⁺ (L = substituted phenanthrolines or bipyridines), has been prepared and characterized, and their photophyical properties in a number of solvents have been investigated. X-ray crystallography measurements confirmed that the cationic (3+) units contain only one ligand L plus two phenanthroline ligands. Electrochemical and photophysical data showed that both ground state potentials and lifetime decays are sensitive to ligand structure and the nature of the solvent with the exception of compounds containing L = 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline (aphen) and 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm). Addition of electron-donating groups in the ligand structure shifts redox potentials to more negative values than those observed for the parent compound, [Cr(phen)₃]³⁺. Emission decays show a complex dependence with the solvent. The longest lifetime was observed for [Cr(phen)₂(dip)]³⁺ (dip = 4,7-diphenylphenanthroline) in air-free aqueous solutions, τ = 273 μs. Solvent effects are explained in terms of the affinity of hydrophobic complexes for non-polar solvent molecules and the solvent microstructure surrounding chromium units.     

A convenient synthesis of isocyclam and [16]aneN4 and the photophysics of their dicyanochromium(III) complexes

The syntheses of the tetraazamacrocyclic ligands 1,4,7,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (isocyclam) and 1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadecane ([16]aneN₄) in two steps starting from the corresponding tetraamine and diethylmalonate is reported. The trans-dicyanochromium(III) complexes, trans-[Cr(isocyclam)(CN)₂]PF₆ and trans-[Cr([16]aneN₄)(CN)₂]PF₆ have also been prepared. Both are ²E_g emitters with 0-0 band emission wavelengths at 721.2 and 704.8 nm, respectively. The isocyclam complex has a room temperature excited state lifetime of 147 μs in aqueous solution which increases to 215 μs upon macrocyclic N-H deuteration, whereas the corresponding lifetime of the [16]aneN₄ complex is 25 μs and is unaffected by macrocyclic N-H deuteration. The implications of the temperature dependence of the excited state lifetimes are also presented.     

Chromium(III) complexes with 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

The preparation, crystal structure and variable temperature-magnetic investigation of three 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole-containing chromium(III) complexes of formula PPh₄[Cr(pyim)(C₂O₄)₂]·H₂O (1), AsPh₄[Cr(pyim)(C₂O₄)₂]·H₂O (2) and [Cr₂(pyim)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH₂)₂]·2pyim · 6H₂O (3) [pyim = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole, , and ] are reported herein. The isomorphous compounds are made up of discrete [Cr(pyim)(C₂O₄)₂]⁻ anions, cations [X = P (1) and As (2)] and uncoordinated water molecules. The chromium environment in 1 and 2 is distorted octahedral with Cr-N and Cr-O bond distances varying in the ranges 2.040(3)-2.101(3) and 1.941(3)-1.959(3) Å, respectively. The angle subtended by the chromium(III) ion by the two didentate oxalate ligands cover the range 82.49(12)-82.95(12)°, values which are somewhat greater than those concerning the chelating pyim molecule [77.94(13) (1) and 78.50(13)° (2)]. Complex 3 contains discrete centrosymmetric [Cr₂(pyim)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)₂] neutral units where the two chromium(III) ions are joined by a di-μ-hydroxo bridge, the oxalate and pyim groups acting as peripheral didentate ligands. Uncoordinated water and pyim molecules are also present in 3 and they contribute to the stabilization of its structure by extensive hydrogen bonding and π-π type interactions. The values of the intramolecular chromium-chromium separation and angle at the hydroxo bridge in 3 are 2.9908(12) Å and 99.60(16)°, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1-3 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K show the occurrence of weak inter- (1 and 2) and intramolecular (3) antiferromagnetic couplings. The magnetic properties of 3 have been interpreted in terms of a temperature-dependent exchange integral, small changes of the angle at the hydroxo bridge upon cooling being most likely responsible for this peculiar magnetic behavior.     

Investigation on the interaction of newly designed potential antibacterial Zn(II) complexes with CT-DNA and HSA

Two Zn(II) complexes of formula [Zn(bpy)(Gly)]NO₃ (I) and [Zn(phen)(Gly)]NO₃ (II) (where bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and Gly = glycine) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, UV–vis, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR spectra. The interaction ability of these complexes with calf thymus DNA was monitored using spectroscopic methods, including UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, ethidium bromide displacement, Fourier transform infrared, and electrophoretic mobility assay. Further, the human serum albumin interactions of complexes I and II were investigated using UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching, circular dichroism, and Fourier transform infrared. The results obtained from these analyses indicated that both complexes interact effectively with CT-DNA and HSA. The binding constant (K_b), the Stern–Volmer constant (K_sv), and the number of binding sites (n) at different temperatures were determined for CT-DNA and HSA. Also, the negative ΔH° and ΔS° values showed that both hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces played major roles in the association of CT-DNA-Zn(II) and HSA-Zn(II) complex formation. The displacement experiments suggested that Zn(II)-complexes primarily bound to Sudlow’s site II of HSA. The distance between the donor (HSA) and the acceptor (Zn(II) complexes) was estimated on the basis of the Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and the alteration of HSA secondary structure induced by the compounds were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The complexes follow the binding affinity order of I > II with DNA and II > I with HSA. Finally, Antibacterial activity of complexes I and II have been screened against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.     

Synthesis and characterization of tris(heteroleptic) diimine complexes of chromium(III)

A preparative procedure of potentially wide applicability is described for the synthesis of previously unreported tris(heteroleptic) [Cr(diimine)₃]³⁺ complexes. The synthetic scheme involves the sequential addition of three different diimine ligands, and employs CrCl₃ · 6H₂O as the initial Cr(III) reagent. The synthesis and characterization of the complexes [Cr(TMP)(phen)(diimine′)]³⁺ are reported (where TMP = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; and diimine′ is either bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, Me₂bpy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, 5-Clphen = 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, or DPPZ = dipyridophenazine). Chiral capillary electrophoresis and electrospray mass spectrometry were essential aids in determining the presence or absence of diimine ligand scrambling. Utilizing emission and electrochemical data obtained on these compounds, the oxidizing power of the lowest lying excited state (²E_g(O_h)) was calculated, and was found to vary in a systematic fashion with diimine ligand type.     

Influence of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on the interaction between sparfloxacin and calf thymus DNA

Cr(III) and Cr(VI) have different binding capacity with sparfloxacin, and have different combination modes with calf thymus DNA. Selecting these two different metal ions, the influence of them on the binding constants between sparfloxacin (SPFX) and calf thymus DNA, as well as the related mechanism has been studied by using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The result shows that Cr(III) has weaker binding capacity to SPFX in the SPFX-Cr(III) binary system, but influences the binding between SPFX and DNA obviously in SPFX-DNA-Cr(III) ternary system. However, although Cr(VI) has a stronger binding capacity to SPFX, it has no effect on the binding between SPFX and DNA. Referring to the different modes of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) binding to DNA, the mechanism of the influence of metal ions on the binding between SPFX and DNA has been proposed. SPFX can directly bind to DNA by chelating DNA base sites. If a metal ion at certain concentration binds mainly to DNA bases, it can decrease the binding constants between SPFX and DNA through competing with SPFX. While if a metal ion at certain concentration mainly binds to phosphate groups of DNA, it can increase the binding constants by building a bridge between SPFX and DNA. If a metal ion at certain concentrations binds neither to bases nor phosphate groups in DNA, it will have no effect on the binding constant between SPFX and DNA. Our result supports Palumbo's conclusion that the binding between SPFX and the phosphata groups is the precondition for the combination between SPFX and DNA, which is stabilized through stacking interactions between the condensed rings of SPFX and DNA bases.     

Reduced amino acid Schiff base containing ruthenium(III) complexes: Synthesis,characterization, DNA interaction,and in vitro cytotoxicity

A number of reduced amino Schiff base ligands and corresponding ruthenium(III) complexes were designed and prepared based on the fact that amino acids not only possess multiple coordinate atoms but also improve the solubility of drugs in the body. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA was analyzed with spectroscopic methods of ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectra, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, circular dichroism spectra, and DNA melting experiments, and DNA viscosity measurements, indicating that the complexes bind to DNA primarily in the grooving mode. With respect to the ligands, the cytotoxicity in vitro of the complexes against Hela, A549, and MCF‐7 cells was much enhanced, with most of the IC₅₀ values less than 50 μM or even comparable with those of cisplatin.     

Biological and protein‐binding studies of newly synthesized polymer–cobalt(III) complexes

The polymer–cobalt(III) complexes, [Co(bpy)(dien)BPEI]Cl₃ · 4H₂O (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, dien = diethylentriamine, BPEI = branched polyethyleneimine) were synthesized and characterized. The interaction of these complexes with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated under physiological conditions using various physico‐chemical techniques. The results reveal that the fluorescence quenching of serum albumins by polymer–cobalt(III) complexes took place through static quenching. The binding of these complexes changed the molecular conformation of the protein considerably. The polymer–cobalt(III) complex with x = 0.365 shows antimicrobial activity against several human pathogens. This complex also induces cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 through apoptotic induction. However, further studies are needed to decipher the molecular mode of action of polymer–cobalt(III) complex and for its possible utilization in anticancer therapy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, structure and antitumor activity of [RhCl3(N-N)(DMSO)] polypyridyl complexes

The [RhCl₃(N-N)(DMSO)] complexes, the N-N being 2,2′-bipyridine (1), 1,10-phenanthroline (2), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3), 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (4) and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (5), have been synthesized and characterized with spectroscopic methods. The compounds 2-5 adopt mer- and complex 1fac-structure. The molecular and electronic structure studies of mer- and fac-complexes with bpy and phen ligands at the DFT B3LYP level with 3-21G^∗∗ basis set showed that mer-isomers are more stable. The cytostatic activity of the [RhCl₃(N-N)(DMSO)] complexes against Caco-2 and A549 tumor cells have been studied. Their antibacterial activity have also been investigated. It has been found that the very promising biological activity show complexes 2, 3 and 4.     

Synthesis, characterizations and crystal structures of antimony(III) complexes with nitrogen-containing ligands

Six antimony adducts with N-donor neutral ligands (1,10-phenanthroline, 4,4′-bipyridine) have been obtained following the reaction of antimony halides with phenanthroline and 4,4′-bipyridine. By changing the solvent and stoichiometry, we obtained six different complexes, Sb(phen)Cl₃ (1), Sb(phen)Br₃ (2), Sb₂(phen)₄Br₈ (3) and Sb(bpy)Cl₃ (4), Sb(bpy)₂Cl₃ (5), Sb(bpyH · bpyH₂)Br₆ (6) (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine). All the complexes have been characterized via elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of complexes 2, 3 and 6 have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction.The structural analysis show that the coordination sphere around antimony atom in complex 2 is a distorted square pyramid, coordinated by three bromine atoms and two nitrogen atoms from phen. In complex 3, the central antimony atom is six-coordinated through four bromine atoms and two nitrogen atoms forming a distorted octahedral geometry. Besides that, there are also uncoordinated 1,10-phenanthroline bonded by hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions, which is rarely observed in previous reports. The crystal structure of complex 6 consists of bpyH · bpyH₂ trications and hexabromoantimonate trianions. The antimony atom in the anion has a distorted octahedral environment. Additionally, all complexes present a 3D framework built up by N-H?Br, C-H?Br and C-H?Cl weak hydrogen bonds interactions.     

Synthesis and fluorescent properties of europium(III) complexes based on novel coumarin derivatives

Four novel coumarin fluorescence small-molecules were successfully prepared and validated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), carbon-13 (¹³C)-NMR, and mass spectrometry (MS). Their corresponding europium(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The ligand can emit green fluorescence in solutions, and the best concentration was 40 μmol/L. The emission peak of ligand has a red-shift with the increase of concentration and solvent polarity. And the effect of various substituents in ligand was ordered using fluorescence intensity as standard: - NO₂ > -Cl > -OCH₃ > -OH. The order of fluorescence quantum yield is in line with the order of fluorescence intensity. The title europium complexes exhibit red fluorescence of europium ion (Eu³⁺) with good thermal stability. The effect of various substituents in ligand on the fluorescence intensity of title europium complexes was also consistent with the earlier results. This suggests that the prepared coumarins fluorescence small-molecules and their corresponding europium complexes have potential application prospects in the field of optical materials.     

Study of the interaction of Co(III) polypyridyl complexes with DNA: an experimental and computational approach

Three new cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes, [Co(L - L)₂IIP]³⁺ where IIP = 2-(2H-isoindol-1-yl)-2H-imidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenanthroline, L?=?1) phen (1,10-phenanthroline), 2) bpy (2,2’bipyridyl), 3) dmb (4, 4-dimethyl 2, 2’-bipyridine) have been synthesized, characterized (UV –VIS, IR, ¹HNMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy) and screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The binding of these complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements. The experimental studies indicate that complexes bind to CT-DNA by means of intercalation, but with different binding affinities due to differences in the planarity of the ancillary ligand. The complexes promote photocleavage of plasmid DNA from super coiled form I to the open circular form II. The antibacterial activities suggest that the metal complexes are more active as compared to the prepared un-complexed IIP ligand.

In addition, a conformational search was carried out by Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and docking revealed that complexes intercalate between base pairs of DNA. The experimental and computational approaches reveal that the length of the intercalator and the nature of ancillary ligand are highly important factors for DNA binding.