Synthesis, structure, DNA-binding properties, and antioxidant activity of copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine

Abstract

Bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine (babb) and two of its complexes, [Cu(babb)(pic)2]·H2O (1) and [Co(babb)2](pic)2 (2) (pic = picrate), have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the two complexes have similar distorted octahedral structures, but the degree of distortion and the coordinated atoms are different. The DNA-binding properties of the free ligand and its two complexes have been investigated by electronic absorption, fluorescence, and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that all three compounds bind to DNA via an intercalative binding mode, and their binding affinity for DNA follows the order 2 > 1 > ligand. Additionally, both complexes exhibited potential antioxidant properties in in vitro studies, and complex 1 was the more effective.