Evaluation of DNA interaction, free radical scavenging and biologically active compounds of thermally stable p-tolylmethanamine Schiff bases and their binary Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes

Abstract

Abstract A series of six novel mononuclear Schiff base complexes 1 [Co(L1)2], 2 [Ni(L1)2], 3 [Co(L2)2], 4 [Ni(L2)2], 5 [Co(L3)2], and 6 [Ni(L3)2] have been synthesized and characterized by several physicochemical techniques. Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes possess a square planar coordination environment composed of N,O donor atoms. The results of these studies suggest that the metal complexes bind to DNA through intercalation. The mono nuclear complexes were found to cleave the pBR-322 DNA in the presence of oxidative and photolytic cleavage. The antibacterial activity of all the complexes was studied against four bacterial strains. Among them metal complexes have the moderate potential activity against microorganisms. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the metal complexes was determined by the DPPH radical scavenging method, the complex 5 was shown the good DPPH scavenging activity with IC50 value 07.45 ± 1.52 μM.