Synthesis of 2‐aminobenzophenone‐based Schiff base Pd(II) complexes: Investigation on crystal structure, biological behavior of DNA/protein‐binding, molecular docking, and in vitro anticancer activities

Abstract

Two new monobasic bidentate ligands and their Pd(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The structures of the complexes were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The bimolecular binding of the ligands and complexes has been carried out and described. Interestingly, both the bidentate chelating ligands replaced all the triphenyl arsine and chloride ions from the metal precursor in the formation of new complexes and were found to be approximately square planar. The interaction of the ligands and the complexes with calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin was studied by electronic and emission spectroscopy techniques, which suggested an intercalation mode of binding. It is well‐known that the viscosity of a DNA solution increases if any compound added binds to it through intercalation because this process lengthens the DNA helix due to the increased separation of the DNA base pairs when the compound slides in between, whereas a partial, nonclassical intercalation could bend (or kink) the DNA helix, which leads to a reduction in length and thereby reducing its viscosity. By contrast, there will be no change in the viscosity when the compounds bind with DNA grooves or by partial intercalation, which was further confirmed by viscosity measurements and molecular docking studies. It has been found that the compounds cleaved supercoiled DNA into nicked DNA without any external agent. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies of the ligands and complexes against human lung (A549) and breast (MCF7) cancer cell lines showed significant activity for both species.