Synthesis,crystal structure,DNA binding,and oxidative cleavage activity of copper(II)-bipyridyl complexes containing tetraalkylammonium groups

Two copper(II) complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy = 2, 2′-bipyridine) with tetraalkylammonium groups, Cu(L¹)₂Br](ClO₄)₅·2H₂O (1) and Cu(L²)₂Br](ClO₄)₅·H₂O (2) (L¹ = 4, 4′-(Et₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L² = 4, 4′-((n-Bu)₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystallographic study of 1 indicates that Cu(II) is a distorted trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramid. DNA binding of both complexes was studied by UV spectroscopic titration. In the presence of reducing reagents, the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA mediated by both complexes was investigated and efficient oxidative cleavage of DNA was observed. Mechanistic study with reactive oxygen scavengers indicates that hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen participate in DNA cleavage.