Synthesis,analytical and spectral characterization for new VO (II)-triazole complexes; conformational study beside MOE docking simulation features

New triazole-derivatives were synthesized and characterized (spectral, analytical and conformational). After that, the new derivatives were coordinated with VO (II) atom to prepare new series of complexes. Distorted octahedral and square-pyramidal geometries, were the geometries suggested based on UV- Vis and ESR spectra. A neutral poly-dentate mode of bonding was proposed by 1:1 (M:L), for all complexes. TGA study supports the molecular formula of VO (II) complexes as well as, mass spectral-analysis that executed for examples. The isotropic, anisotropic, molecular orbital and Hamiltonian parameters were estimated upon ESR spectra, for selected complexes. XRD patterns were executed for three complexes, two among appeared with particulate-sizes in nanometer-range. Conformational study was executed for all synthesizes applying RTD-B3LYP-FC method. Essential physical parameters were estimated and discussed. MOE-docking that considered a bright part, was performed over all compounds towards 3s7s and 5jm5, as functional tumor proteins. The docking interaction parameters, introduced strongly some synthesizes to be anti-tumor agents.     

DNA interaction,antimicrobial and molecular docking studies of biologically interesting Schiff base complexes incorporating 4‐formyl‐N,N‐dimethylaniline and propylenediamine

Four new transition metal complexes incorporating a Schiff base ligand derived from propylenediamine and 4‐formyl‐N ,N ‐dimethylaniline have been synthesized using transition metal salts. The characterization of the newly formed complexes was done from physicochemical parameters and using various techniques like ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, UV, electron paramagnetic resonance and mass spectroscopies, powder X‐ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. All the complexes were found to be monomeric in nature with square planar geometry. X‐ray powder diffraction illustrates that the complexes have a crystalline nature. The interaction of metal complexes with calf thymus DNA was investigated using UV–visible absorption, viscosity measurements, cyclic voltammetry, emission spectroscopy and docking analysis. The results indicate that the Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes interact with DNA by intercalative binding mode with optimum intrinsic binding constants of 4.3 × 10⁴, 3.9 × 10⁴, 4.7 × 10⁴ and 3.7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively. These DNA binding results were rationalized using molecular docking in which the docked structures indicate that the metal complexes fit well into the A‐T rich region of target DNA through intercalation. The metal complexes exhibit an effective cleavage with pUC19 DNA by an oxidative cleavage mechanism. The synthesized ligand and the complexes were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. The complexes show enhanced antifungal and antibacterial activities compared to the free ligand.     

New transition metal complexes of 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone p‐toluyl hydrazone Schiff base: Synthesis,spectroscopy, DNA and HSA interactions,antimicrobial, DFT and docking studies

The new complexes of Cu (II) and Ni (II) of a tridentate Schiff base ligand derived from 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone and p‐toluic hydrazide have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrical conductometry, FT‐IR, Mass, NMR and UV–Vis. The DFT calculations were carried out at B3LYP/6‐31G*(d) level for the determination of the optimized structure of the ligand and its complexes. The as‐synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity. Also, their binding behavior with fish salmon‐DNA (FS‐DNA) and human serum albumin (HSA) were studied by different kinds of spectroscopic and molecular modeling techniques. The fluorescence data at different temperatures were applied in order to estimate the thermodynamics parameters of interactions of ligand and its complexes with DNA and HSA. The results showed that the as‐made compounds could bind to FS‐DNA and HSA via the groove binding as the major binding mode. According to molecular docking calculation and competitive binding experiments, these compounds bind to the minor groove of DNA and hydrophobic residues located in the subdomain IB of HSA. In addition, the molecular docking results kept in good consistence with experimental data.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and biological evaluation of mononuclear transition metal complexes of zwitterionic dehydroacetic acid N‐aroylhydrazone ligand

Synthesis and characterization of mononuclear transition metal complexes viz., Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with a newly designed ligand, (E)‐2‐benzamido‐N'‐(1‐(2‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐3‐yl) ethylidene) benzohydrazide ( H ₂ L ) are reported. Molecular structures of H ₂ L , Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The structures were stabilized by various intra/inter‐molecular H‐bonding, C‐H···π and π···π stacking interactions. H ₂ L exists in zwitterionic form and acts in a monoanionic manner. Ligand/metal ratio was 2:1 for cobalt, nickel and zinc, whereas 1:1 for the copper complex. Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes display distorted octahedral geometry, while the Cu(II) complex shows distorted square pyramidal geometry around the metal ion. Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2D fingerprint plots revealed that H ₂ L and its complexes were supported mainly by H?H, O?H and C?H intermolecular interactions. The synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity by gelatin zymography and the activity was comparable with tetracycline. Their cleavage behavior towards calf thymus DNA has been studied using agarose gel electrophoresis method. H ₂ L and Cu(II) complex were selected by National Cancer Institute (NCI) for in vitro single dose testing in the full NCI 60 cell lines panel assay. Finally, molecular docking simulation effectively proves the binding of all the synthesized compounds at cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) active sites.     

Spectroscopic investigation,DFT, fluorescence,molecular docking and biological studies of divalent and trivalent binuclear complexes prepared from benzoyl thiosemicarbazide derivative of 2‐benzylmalonohydrazide

The binuclear Cr (III), Mn (II) and Fe (III) complexes of N,N′‐(2,2′‐(2‐benzylmalonyl)bis (hydrazine‐1‐carbonothioyl))dibenzamide (H₄BPCD), which derived from the combination of 2‐benzylmalonohydrazide suspension with benzoyl‐isothiocyanate, have been isolated and investigated by the necessary analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The IR studies show that H₄BPCD dispose as a mono‐negative hexadentate ligand (NOS)₂ towards Mn (II) ion and tetra‐negative hexadentate (NOS)₂ towards both Cr (III) and Fe (III) ions. The values of molar conductance in DMSO suggested the non‐electrolytic nature for all complexes. The magnetic measurements and the electronic transitions data confirmed the hexa‐coordinate geometry of complexes. The DFT geometry optimization of all compounds and IR comparative study of both theoretical and experimental of H₄BPCD were carried out. Moreover, the H₄BPCD and its Cr (III) complex displayed intra ligand (π → π*) fluorescence emission spectra which corroborate their photoactive nature. The coordinated and crystalline water molecules have been investigated by (TG/DTG) studies. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed using Horowitz‐ Metzger, Coats‐Redfern and Broido methods. Biological studies of DNA binding, minimum inhibitory concentration, in vitro determination of SOD‐like activity and MTT‐cytotoxicity assay as well as molecular docking studies were tested for the ligand and its complexes.     

Solution Structures and Spectra of VO(II)‐Serine‐Phenanthroline Ternary System

ESR spectra of VO(II)‐serine(Ser)‐phen system in binary solvent glycol/water (V/ V = 1:1) solution at various acidities (pH= 1‐14) have been observed at low temperature. It was found that in different pH ranges different structural complexes were formed. According to Johnson's rule and IR, their possible structures were suggested. The bonding parameters of complexes were calculated from ESR parameters. It can be seen that the or values of complexes decrease following the increasing of an N donor replacing the O donor of water on the equatorial plane in the complexes. This means that the covalent bonding between vanadium and ligands increases as amino and phen ligands replace water ligands. The crystal field parameters were calculated by using electronic spectral data. The coordination law was discussed. It was obtained that the coordination reactivity of phen is much stronger than that of Ser.     

Anti‐proliferative activity of newly synthesized Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II),Ni(II), Co(II), VO(II), and Mn(II) complexes of 2‐((4,9‐dimethoxy‐5‐oxo‐5H‐furo[3,2‐g]chromen‐6‐yl)methylene) hydrazinecarbothioamide on three human cancer cells

Thiosemicarbazone ligand, 2‐((4,9‐dimethoxy‐5‐oxo‐5H‐furo[3,2‐g]chromen‐6‐yl)methylene) hydrazinecarbothioamide and its Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), VO(II), and Mn(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Complexes molar conductance measurements displayed that all complexes (2–8) are non‐electrolyte. With general composition [M(H₃L)(CH₃COO)₂H₂O].nH₂O, where M = Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) while complex (8) has [VO(H₃L)(SO₄)H₂O].2H₂O formula. Based on analytical and spectral measurements, the octahedral or distorted octahedral geometries suggested for complexes. Ligand and complexes anti‐proliferative activities were assessed against three various human tumor cell lines including breast cancer (MCF‐7), liver cancer (HepG2) and lung cancer (A549) using SRB fluorometric assay and cis‐platin as positive control. The anti‐proliferative activity result indicated that the ligand and its complexes have considerable anti‐proliferative activity analogous to that of ordinarily utilized anti‐cancer drug (cis‐platin). They do their anti‐cancer activities by modifying free radical's generation via raising the superoxide dismutase activity and depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione level, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, escorted by highly generation of hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and other free radicals leading to tumor cells death, as monitoring by decreasing the protein and nucleic acids synthesis.     

Electrochemical synthesis for new thiosemicarbazide complexes,spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry,structural properties,and in silico study

A new thiosemicarbazide derivative ligand (HDCTS) was prepared from the reaction between 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine and 4‐chlorophenyl isothiocyanate. Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized from HDCTS derivative by electrochemical method to reach preferable yield in a safe environment. The new complexes as well as the original ligand were fully characterized to establish their chemical formulae. The spectral (infrared, Raman, mass, and ultraviolet–visible), analytical (elemental, thermogravimetric analysis [TGA], and cyclic voltammetry), and conformational techniques were implemented for characterization. According to spectral data and magnetic moments, the octahedral arrangement was proposed around metals through mono‐negative bidentate mode of bonding. TGA discriminates and quantitatively evaluates the presence of water molecules within two complexes. Electrochemical study was interested for all new compounds and suggests the electrode couples to be close for quasi‐reversible behavior. Elaborated conformational study was displayed to extract significant characteristics, which assert firstly on the mode of bonding inside the complexes. The perfect distribution of NH and CS groups inside the optimized structures facilitates their coordination as spectrally proposed. Crystal explorer program was used to investigate the degree of contact between molecules inside crystal packing systems. Effective contribution in surface contact feature was noticed from O and Cl atoms. A certified in silico study concerning the docking feature of new compounds against effective proteins in allergy and inflammation diseases was done. According to data exported, a promising anti‐allergic or anti‐inflammatory efficiency is expected strongly from Cu(II)–DCTS complex.     

Density functional theory/B3LYP study of nanometric 4‐(2,4‐dihydroxy‐5‐formylphen‐1‐ylazo)‐N‐(4‐methylpyrimidin‐2‐yl)benzenesulfonamide complexes: Quantitative structure–activity relationship,docking, spectral and biological investigations

New metal ion complexes were isolated after coupling with 4‐(2,4‐dihydroxy‐5‐formylphen‐1‐ylazo)‐N ‐(4‐methylpyrimidin‐2‐yl)benzenesulfonamide (H₂L) drug ligand. The structural and molecular formulae of drug derivative and its complexes were elucidated using spectral, analytical and theoretical tools. Vibrational spectral data proved that H₂L behaves as a monobasic bidentate ligand through one nitrogen from azo group and ionized hydroxyl oxygen towards all metal ions. UV–visible and magnetic moment measurements indicated that Fe(III), Cr(III), Mn(II) and Ni(II) complexes have octahedral configuration whereas Cd(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) complexes are in tetrahedral form. The Cu(II)complex has square planar geometry as verified through electron spin resonance essential parameters. X‐ray diffraction data indicated the amorphous nature of all compounds with no regular arrangement for the solid constituents during the precipitation process. Transmission electron microscopy images showed homogeneous metal ion distribution on the surface of the complexes with nanometric particles. Coats–Redfern equations were applied for calculating thermo‐kinetic parameters for suitable thermal decomposition stages. Gaussian09 and quantitative structure–activity relationship modelling studies were used to verify the structural and biological features. Docking study using microorganism protein receptors was implemented to throw light on the biological behaviour of the proposed drug. The investigated ligand and metal complexes were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against fungal and bacterial strains. The resulting data indicated that the investigated compounds are highly promising bactericides and fungicides. The antitumour activities of all compounds were evaluated towards human liver carcinoma (HEPG2) cell line.     

Anticancer Activity of Hydrogen‐Bond‐Stabilized Half‐Sandwich RuII Complexes with Heterocycles

Neutral half‐sandwich organometallic ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [(η⁶‐cymene)RuCl₂(L)] ( H1 – H10 ), where L represents a heterocyclic ligand, have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. The structures of five complexes were also established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction confirming a piano‐stool geometry with η⁶ coordination of the arene ligand. Hydrogen bonding between the N? H group of the heterocycle and a chlorine atom attached to Ru stabilizes the metal–ligand interaction. Complexes coordinated to a mercaptobenzothiazole framework ( H1 ) or mercaptobenzoxazole ( H6 ) showed high cytotoxicity against several cancer cells but not against normal cells. In vitro studies have shown that the inhibition of cancer cell growth involves primarily G1‐phase arrest as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The complexes are found to bind DNA in a non‐intercalative fashion and cause unwinding of plasmid DNA in a cell‐free medium. Surprisingly, the cytotoxic complexes H1 and H6 differ in their interaction with DNA, as observed by biophysical studies, they either cause a biphasic melting of the DNA or the inhibition of topoisomerase IIα activity, respectively. Substitution of the aromatic ring of the heterocycle or adding a second hydrogen‐bond donor on the heterocycle reduces the cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis of Co(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), UO2(II) and Pb(II) binuclear nanometric complexes from multi‐donor ligand: Spectral,modeling, quantitative structure–activity relationship,docking and antitumor studies

New synthesis of Co(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), UO₂(II) and Pb(II) binuclear nanometric complexes derived from multi‐donor ligand is reported. Structural and molecular formulae of all isolated complexes were established. Bi‐negative hexa‐dentate mode of ligand was proposed for the two central atoms in all complexes. Infrared, UV–visible, magnetic moments, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis and elemental analysis were used to build all structural formulae. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the morphological features of the compounds and to compute particle sizes. Theoretical computations were implemented to support the proposed formulae. Kinetic study was executed over suitable stages to clarify the comparative stabilities. The DFT/B3LYP method, using the Gaussian 09 program, was utilized for optimizing the distribution of atoms over all compounds except the UO₂²⁺ complex. This exclusion refers to an inability to find a suitable method. Significant parameters were estimated using frontier energies (highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals) and data log file. A quantitative structure–activity relationship study applying HyperChem was executed for the organic compound tautomer forms to give a significant view about their biological character. AutoDock tools 4.2 were used to investigate the biological trend of organic compounds (keto and enol) against three types of proteins. The types were chosen related to in vitro investigation: breast, prostate and liver carcinoma proteins. IC₅₀ values indicated insignificant inhibition activity towards all carcinoma cell lines under investigation, except for the Hg(II) complex which displayed distinct activity against breast carcinoma compared with reference drug (doxorubicin).     

Novel 3‐Hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic hydrazone and Ni(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) Complexes: Synthesis,Spectroscopic Characterization,Antimicrobial, DNA Cleavage and Computational Studies

A novel hydrazone ligand derived from condensation reaction of 3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic hydrazide with dehydroacetic acid, and its Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes were synthesized, characterized by spectroscopic, elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity methods, and screened for antimicrobial, DNA binding and cleavage properties. Spectroscopic analysis and elemental analyses indicated the formula, [MLCl₂], for the complexes; square planar geometry for the nickel, and tetrahedral geometry for copper and cobalt complexes. The non‐electrolytic natures of the complexes in Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO) were confirmed by their molar conductance values in the range of 6.11–14.01 Ω^?1cm²mol^?1. The copper complex had the best antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213). DNA cleavage activities of the compounds, evaluated on pBR322 DNA, by agarose gel electrophoresis, in the presence and absence of oxidant (H₂O₂) and free radical scavenger (DMSO), indicated no activity for the ligand, and moderate activity for the complexes, with the copper complex cleaving pBR322 DNA more efficiently in the presence of H₂O₂. When the complexes were evaluated for antibacterial and A‐DNA activity using Molecular docking technique, the copper complex was found to be most effective against Gram‐positive (S. aureus) bacteria. [CuLCl₂] showed good hydrogen bonding interaction with the major‐groove (C₂^.G₁₃ base pair) of A‐DNA. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the structural and electronic properties of the complexes revealed that [CuLCl₂] had a smaller HOMO‐LUMO gap, suggesting a higher tendency to donate electrons to electron‐accepting species of biological targets.     

Synthesis,characterization, EPR,electrochemical, and in situ spectroelectrochemical studies of salen-type oxovanadium(IV) and copper(II) complexes derived from 3,4-diaminobenzophenone

A new half unit and some new symmetrical or asymmetrical VO(IV) and Cu(II) complexes of tetradentate ONNO Schiff base ligands were synthesized. The probable structures of the complexes have been proposed on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral (IR, UV–Vis, electron paramagnetic resonance, ESI-MS) data. VO(IV) and Cu(II) complexes exhibit square pyramidal and square-planar geometries, respectively. The complexes are non-electrolytes in dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylsulfoxide. Electrochemical behaviors of the complexes were studied using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Half-wave potentials (E _1/2) are significantly influenced by the central metal and slightly influenced by the nature of substituents on salen. While VO(IV) complexes give VO^IV/VO^V redox couples and a ligand-based reduction process, Cu(II) complexes give only a ligand-based reduction. In situ spectroelectrochemical studies were employed to determine the spectra of electrogenerated species of the complexes and to assign the redox processes. The g-values were calculated for all these complexes in polycrystalline state at 298?K and in frozen DMF (113?K). The evaluated metal–ligand bonding parameters showed strong in-plane σ-bonding for some Cu(II) complexes.     

Synthesis,characterization and in vitro antimicrobial and anti‐breast cancer activity studies of metal complexes of novel pentadentate azo dye ligand

A new azo dye with N3O2 donor set of atoms has been synthesized via coupling reaction of 2,6‐diaminopyridine with p‐methoxybenzaldehyde. The molecular and electronic structure of the azo dye ligand (L) was optimized theoretically and the quantum chemical parameters were calculated. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding between L and the receptors of breast cancer mutant 3hb5‐oxidoreductase, crystal structure of Escherichia coli (3 T88) and crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus (3q8u). The newly synthesized L was used for complex formation with Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co.(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions. The nature of bonding and the stoichiometry of L and its mononuclear complexes were deduced from elemental analyses, spectroscopic, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, electron spin resonance and conductivity measurements, thermogravimetric analyses and powder X‐ray diffraction. Elemental analysis data show that the complexes have composition of ML type with an octahedral geometry for all the complexes. The activation thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The prepared azo dye and its metal complexes were tested against various Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and a fungus. Most complexes exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activities against these organisms. Anticancer evaluation studies against standard breast cancer cell line were performed using various concentrations. The activity index was calculated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three new mixed‐ligand copper(II) complexes containing glycyl‐l‐valine and N,N‐aromatic heterocyclic compounds: Synthesis,characterization, DNA interaction,cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity

Three novel copper(II) complexes, [Cu(Gly‐l ‐Val)(HPBM)(H₂O)]·ClO₄·H₂O ( 1 ), [Cu(Gly‐l ‐Val)(TBZ)(H₂O)]·ClO₄ ( 2 ) and [Cu(Gly‐l ‐Val)(PBO)(H₂O)]·ClO₄ ( 3 ) (Gly‐l ‐Val = glycyl‐l ‐valine anion, HPBM = 5‐methyl‐2‐(2′‐pyridyl)benzimidazole, TBZ = 2‐(4′‐thiazolyl)benzimidazole, PBO = 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)benzoxazole), have been prepared and characterized with elemental analyses, conductivity measurements as well as various spectroscopic techniques. The interactions of these copper complexes with calf thymus DNA were explored using UV–visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, viscosity and docking analyses methods. The experimental results showed that all three complexes could bind to DNA via an intercalative mode. Moreover, the cytotoxic effects were evaluated using the MTT method, and the antimicrobial activity of these complexes was tested against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that the activities are consistent with their DNA binding abilities, following the order of 1 > 2 > 3 .     

Spectral characterization, cyclic voltammetry, morphology, biological activities and DNA cleaving studies of amino acid Schiff base metal(II) complexes

Metal complexes are synthesized with Schiff bases derived from o-phthalaldehyde (opa) and amino acids viz., glycine (gly) l-alanine (ala), l-phenylalanine (pal). Metal ions coordinate in a tetradentate or hexadentate manner with these N(2)O(2) donor ligands, which are characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic moments, IR, electronic, (1)H NMR and EPR spectral studies. The elemental analysis suggests the stoichiometry to be 1:1 (metal:ligand). Based on EPR studies, spin-Hamiltonian and bonding parameters have been calculated. The g-values calculated for copper complexes at 300K and in frozen DMSO (77K) indicate the presence of the unpaired electron in the dx2-y2 orbital. The evaluated metal-ligand bonding parameters showed strong in-plane sigma- and pi-bonding. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron micrography (SEM) analysis provide the crystalline nature and the morphology of the metal complexes. The cyclic voltammograms of the Cu(II)/Mn(II)/VO(II) complexes investigated in DMSO solution exhibit metal centered electroactivity in the potential range -1.5 to +1.5V. The electrochemical data obtained for Cu(II) complexes explains the change of structural arrangement of the ligand around Cu(II) ions. The biological activity of the complexes has been tested on eight bacteria and three fungi. Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes show an increased activity in comparison to the controls. The metal complexes of opapal Schiff base were evaluated for their DNA cleaving activities with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) under aerobic conditions. Cu(II) and VO(II) complexes show more pronounced activity in presence of the oxidant.     

Synthesis,Physicochemical Properties,and Hydrogen Bonding of 4(5)‐Substituted 1‐H‐Imidazole‐2‐carboxamide,a Potential Universal Reader for DNA Sequencing by Recognition Tunneling

We have developed a chemical reagent that recognizes all naturally occurring DNA bases, a so called universal reader, for DNA sequencing by recognition tunneling in nanopores. 1 The primary requirements for this type of molecules are the ability to form non‐covalent complexes with individual DNA bases and to generate recognizable electronic signatures under an electrical bias. 1‐H‐imidazole‐2‐carboxamide was designed as such a recognition moiety to interact with the DNA bases through hydrogen bonding. In the present study, we first furnished a synthetic route to 1‐H‐imidazole‐2‐carboxamide containing a short ω‐functionalized alkyl chain at its 4(5) position for its attachment to metal and carbon electrodes. The acid dissociation constants of the imidazole‐2‐carboxamide were then determined by UV spectroscopy. The data show that the 1‐H‐imidazole‐2‐carboxamide exists in a neutral form between pH 6–10. Density functional theory (DFT) and NMR studies indicate that the imidazole ring exists in prototropic tautomers. We propose an intramolecular mechanism for tautomerization of 1‐H‐imidazole‐2‐carboxamide. In addition, the imidazole‐2‐carboxamide can self‐associate to form hydrogen bonded dimers. NMR titration found that naturally occurring nucleosides interacted with 1‐H‐imidazole‐2‐carboxamide through hydrogen bonding in a tendency of dG>dC?dT>dA. These studies are indispensable to assisting us in understanding the molecular recognition that takes place in the nanopore where routinely used analytical tools such as NMR and FTIR cannot be conveniently applied.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,apoptosis and molecular docking of three Mn(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes with terpyridine‐based carboxylic acid

A series of novel cytotoxic compounds, [Mn(cpt)₂], [Zn(tpt)(H₂O)₂]?DMA?2(H₂O) and [Cu(tpt)]?DMA (cpt = 4′‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, tpt = 4‐(2,4,6‐tricarboxylphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, DMA = (CH₃)₂NH), were isolated and characterized. The structures of these complexes were characterized using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mode and extent of binding between fish sperm DNA and the complexes were investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking. These results indicate the ability of the complexes to bind to DNA with different binding affinities. The binding of the Zn(II) complex with DNA is stronger than that of the corresponding Cu(II) analogue, which is expected due to the z* effect and geometry. The ability of these complexes to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA was demonstrated using gel electrophoresis assay, showing that the complexes have effective DNA cleavage activity. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of these complexes were examined on HeLa cells (human cervix epithelia carcinoma cells) in vitro. The three complexes exhibit different cytotoxic effects and decent cancer cell inhibitory rate. This means that the structures and type of metal have a great influence on the activity of these novel complexes.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,cytotoxicity and molecular docking properties of Cu (II) and Mn (II) complexes with 1,4‐bis (pyrazol‐1‐yl) terephthalic acid

Two novel complexes, [Cu (L)(H₂O)]?H₂O ( 1 ) and [Mn (H₂O)₆] ?L ?H₂O ( 2 ) (L = 1,4‐bis (pyrazol‐1‐yl) terephthalic acid), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Intramolecular weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, and intermolecular interactions play important roles in the construction of the complexes. The interaction of these complexes with fish sperm DNA (FS‐DNA) was monitored and binding constants were determined using UV–visible spectroscopy, which revealed their ability to bind to FS‐DNA, with binding constants for the two complexes of 1.88 × 10⁴ M^?1 ( 1 ) and 1.06 × 10⁴ M^?1 ( 2 ). Viscosity experiments further demonstrated the binding of the complexes to DNA. The complexes were further studied using gel electrophoresis assay with supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA. In addition, anticancer activities of the metal complexes investigated through MTT assays in vitro indicated good cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. Flow cytometry and apoptosis experiments showed that these complexes induced apoptosis of two different cancer cell lines (HeLa and KB cells), demonstrating a significant cancer cell inhibitory rate. Finally, a further molecular docking technique was employed to confirm the binding of the complexes towards the molecular target DNA.     

Sulfonamide‐derived compounds and their transition metal complexes: synthesis,biological evaluation and X‐ray structure of 4‐bromo‐2‐[(E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5 yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl} iminiomethyl] phenolate

Sulfonamide‐derived new ligands, 4‐({[(E)‐(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]‐amino}methyl)benzenesulfonamide and 4‐bromo‐2‐((E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5‐yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl}iminiomethyl)phenolate and their transition metal [cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)] complexes were synthesized and characterized. The nature of bonding and structure of all the synthesized compounds were deduced from physical (magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements), spectral (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, electronic, mass spectrometry) and analytical (CHN analysis) data. The structure of the ligand, 4‐bromo‐2‐((E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5‐yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl} iminiomethyl)phenolate was also determined by X‐ray diffraction method. An octahedral geometry was suggested for all the complexes. In order to evaluate the biological activity of the ligands and the effect of metals, the ligands and their metal complexes were screened for in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity. The results of these studies revealed that all compounds showed moderate to significant antibacterial activity against one or more bacterial strains and good antifungal activity against various fungal strains. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.