An oxovanadium(IV) complex with o-vanillin-valine Schiff base and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands: synthesis,crystal structure and DNA interactions

A new mixed-ligand V(IV) complex, [VO(o-Van-Val)(phen)]·CH₃CN (o-Van-val = Schiff base derived from o-vanillin and l-valine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the crystal, the V(IV) atom is six-coordinated by one oxo ligand, two oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom from a valine Schiff base ligand, and two nitrogen atoms from 1,10-phenanthroline, giving a distorted octahedral arrangement. The DNA-binding properties of the complex were investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the oxovanadium(IV) complex binds to DNA in an intercalation mode.