The complex formation in the zinc(II) - 2-methyldipyrido-[3,2-f:2',3'-h]-quinoxaline (MeDPQ), zinc(II) - L-histidine (HisH) and zinc(II) - 2-methyldipyrido-[3,2-f:2',3'-h]-quinoxaline - L-histidine systems at 37.0 °C on the 0.15 mol dm-3 NaCl background has been investigated by the pH-potentiometry method. A total of 10 complex forms were characterized. Based on the analysis of the complex formation constants and DFT calculations at the B3LYP/TZVPP level, taking into account the solvent effect within the C-PCM model, the structures of Zn(MeDPQ)(HisH)2+, Zn(MeDPQ)(His)+, and Zn(MeDPQ)(His)(OH) complexes were modeled. The higher stability of the homoligand complexes Zn(His)+, Zn(HisH)(His)+, Zn(His)2 and extra-stabilization in the formation constants of the heteroligand complexes Zn(MeDPQ)(HisH)2+ and Zn(MeDPQ)(His)+ were discovered, which was confirmed by the DFT calculations. Higher values of equilibrium constants of the mentioned homoligand forms are explained by coordination to the central nitrogen atom of the imidazole fragment of histidine. Extra-stabilization of heteroligand forms occurs due to d-π-interaction with electron density transfer from π-donor orbitals of oxygen atoms of the carboxy groups of amino acids through the central ion to π-acceptor orbitals of MeDPQ. It is emphasized that the studied zinc(II) complexes, both in binary and ternary systems, can have high biological activity, in particular, due to the nucleophilic attack of the coordinated hydroxide anion on proteins and other biomaterials. This opens up the prospect of using such zinc(II) complexes in medicine. In particular, the studied complexes may exhibit anticancer activity.
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