Synthesis, micellization behavior, antimicrobial and intercalative DNA binding of some novel surfactant copper(II) complexes containing modified phenanthroline ligands

Abstract

The novel surfactant copper(II) complexes, [Cu(ip)2DA](ClO4)21, [Cu(dpqc)2DA](ClO4)22, [Cu(dppn)2DA](ClO4)23, where ip=imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, dpqc=dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,4′-c](6,7,8,9-tetrahydro)phenazine, dppn=benzo[1]dipyrido[3,2-a′:2′,3′-c]phenazine and DA-dodecylamine, were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. In these complexes 1–3, the geometry of copper metal ions was described as square pyramidal. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of these surfactant copper(II) complexes in aqueous solution was found out from conductance measurements. Specific conductivity data at different temperatures served for the evaluation of the temperature-dependent CMC and the thermodynamics of micellization (ΔGm°, ΔHm° and ΔSm°). The binding interaction of these complexes with DNA (calf thymus DNA) in Tris buffer was studied by physico-chemical techniques. In the presence of the DNA UV–vis spectrum of complexes showed red shift of the absorption band along with significant hypochromicity indicating intercalation of our complexes with nucleic acids. Competitive binding study with ethidium bromide (EB) shows that the complexes exhibit the ability to displace the nucleic acid-bound EB indicating that the complexes bind to nucleic acids in strong competition with EB for the intercalative binding site. Observed changes in the circular dichoric spectra of DNA in the presence of surfactant complexes support the strong binding of complexes with DNA. CV results also confirm this mode of binding. Some significant thermodynamic parameters of the binding of the titled complexes to DNA have also been determined. The results reveal that the extent of DNA binding of 3 was greater than that of 1 and 2. The antibacterial and antifungal screening tests of these complexes have shown good results compared to its precursor chloride complexes.