Synthesis,structure, and DNA-binding properties of manganese(II) and nickel(II) complexes with tris(N-ethylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine ligand

Tris(N-ethylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine (Etntb), [Mn(Etntb)(DMF)(H₂O)](pic)₂ (1), and [Ni(Etntb)(DMF)(H₂O)](pic)₂ (2) (pic?=?picrate) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, UV–Visible spectra, and IR spectra. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the complexes have the same arrangement with distorted octahedral coordination geometries. DNA-binding properties of the free ligand, 1, and 2 have been investigated by electronic absorption, fluorescence, and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the ligand and its complexes bind DNA via intercalation, and their binding affinity for DNA follows the order 2?>?1?> ligand.