Surface-enhanced Raman spectra study of metal complexes of N-D-glucosamine beta-naphthaldehyde and glycine and their interaction with DNA

Copper(II), zinc(II), cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of N-D-glucosamine beta-naphthaldehyde (C17H19O6N, NG) and glycine were synthesized. The four novel metal complexes, Cu(II)C19H28O11N2(CuGNG), Zn(II)C19H24O9N2 (ZnGNG), Co(II)C19H28O11N2(Co(II)GNG) and Co(III)C21H29O12N2(Co(III)GNG) were characterized by means of infrared (IR), electronic absorption spectroscopy and NMR etc. The surface-enhanced Raman spectra of the four complexes and their interaction with DNA were studied. By comparison of the surface-enhanced Raman spectra (SERS), the information of the four complexes' SER active sites and adsorption orientation were obtained. Combined with fluorescence spectra of Ethidium bromide (EthBr) DNA system, we concluded that none of the four complexes intercalate into DNA and that the presence of the glycine ligand lowered the anticancer activity of NG series complexes.