Dicoumarol complexes of Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III): preparation,characterization, in‐vitro antibacterial and DNA binding activity

3‐3′‐Benzylidenebis[4‐hydroxycoumarin] or 4‐nitro,3‐3′‐benzylidenebis[4‐hydroxycoumarin] or 4‐methoxy,3‐3′‐benzylidenebis[4‐hydroxycoumarin] and their complexes with Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) were synthesized and characterized using ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR spectra, electronic spectra, magnetic measurements and elemental analyses. The ligands, metal salts, complexes, control and standard drug were tested for their in‐vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Serratia marcescens. The metal complexes exhibit good activity against bacterial strains compared with parental compounds and moderate compared with the standard drug (ciprofloxacin). In‐vitro DNA‐binding activity was carried out using agarose gel electrophoresis. The synthesized compounds show effective DNA‐binding activity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metallo Phthalocyanines bearing 2‐Isopropyl‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4‐yloxy Substituents: Synthesis,Characterization, Aggregation Behavior,Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity,and Electronic Properties

A novel phthalonitrile derivative bearing 2‐isopropyl‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4‐yloxy substituents at peripheral positions was synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Metallophthalocyanines were obtained from the reaction of the novel phthalonitrile with metal Zn, Cu, Co, and Ni salts. The characterization of the compounds was performed using elemental analysis as well as UV/Vis, FT‐IR, and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The aggregation behaviors of phthalocyanine complexes were also investigated. These metallophthalocyanines do not show any aggregation behavior between 10^–4–10^–6 M concentration range in THF. The antioxidant activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated using three different tests: 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, metal chelating activity, and reducing power assays. All the compounds exhibited various antioxidant activities. In addition, antimicrobial activity of the compounds was tested over four gram positive and two gram negative bacteria. Moreover, the ground‐state geometries of the complexes were optimized using density functional theory (DFT) methods at B3LYP/6‐31G(d, p) level in order to obtain information about the 3D arrangements and electronic structure.     

Synthesis,Spectral Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Novel Zafirlukast Sulfonyl Derivatives

A new series of cyclopentyl 3‐(2‐methoxy‐4‐(piperazine‐1‐carbonyl)benzyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐5‐ylcarbamate sulfonyl derivatives were synthesized by the reaclion of 4‐((5‐(cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methyl)‐3‐methoxybenzoic acid (ZAK drug intermediate) with Boc piperazine in the presence of EDC?HCl, HOBt, TEA in DMF followed by deboxylation by using 2N HCl or 35 % HCl in acetone to get an intermediate compound. Further, this compound was treated with various substituted benzene sulfonyl chlorides in the presence of TEA in THF to afford title compounds. All the title compounds were characterized by ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, IR and mass spectral data. The title compounds and starting material were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by using the DPPH, H₂O₂ and NO methods. The results revealed that some of the compounds have shown significant antioxidant activity.     

Synthesis,Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Screening of Aryl Acetic Acid Incorporated 1,2,4‐Triazolo‐1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Derivatives

Some novel [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized from aryl acetic acids. All the synthesized derivatives were selected for the screening of antibacterial potential against Gram‐positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 3160) and Micrococcus luteus (MTCC 1538)] and Gram‐negative bacteria [Escherichia coli (MTCC 1652) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424)] and antifungal potential against Aspergillus niger (MTCC 8652) and Candida albicans (MTCC 227), and free radical scavenging activity through 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl hydrate method. The compounds TH‐4 , TH‐13 , and TH‐19 were found to be more potent antimicrobial agents compared to standard drugs. The compounds TH‐3 , TH‐9 , and TH‐18 also showed significant antimicrobial activity. The compound TH‐13 showed antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ value better than the standard compound. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H‐NMR, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, and CHN analyzer.     

Facile Synthesis of Pyrazoline Derivatized Amides via Sydnone Ring Cleavage

In the present investigation, we have utilized 3‐[3′‐(5″‐aryl‐2″‐pyrazolin‐3″‐yl)]phenylsydnones 1a–c to couple two biodynamic moieties in amide derivatives 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 . The compounds 1a–c were brominated to 4‐bromo‐3‐[3′‐(5″‐aryl‐2″‐pyrazolin‐3″‐yl)]phenylsydnone 2 , which were further reacted with secondary amines to form the title compounds. These novel molecules were subjected to antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculae (H₃₇R_v) and antioxidant activity assay.     

Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel Coumarin Derivatives via a Three-component Reaction in Water

An efficient synthesis of novel coumarin derivatives via a three‐component condensation of 4‐hydroxycoumarin, aldehydes and aromatic amines catalyzed by sulfonic acid functionalized ionic liquid L‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐1‐(4‐sulfobutyl)pyrrolidinium hydrogen sulfate ([HYSBPI]·HSO₄) is reported. The condensed product was obtained with excellent yields in water under microwave irradiation condition. The antitumor activities of all the synthesized compounds were assessed on two different human cancer cell lines (A‐549 and MCF‐7), and the results showed that these compounds had weak‐to‐good antitumor activities and their IC₅₀ ranged from 0.05 to more than 100 µmol·L^?1.     

Bioluminescent Enzymatic Assay as a Tool for Studying Antioxidant Activity and Toxicity of Bioactive Compounds

A bioluminescent assay based on a system of coupled enzymatic reactions catalyzed by bacterial luciferase and NADH:FMN‐oxidoreductase was developed to monitor toxicity and antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds. The assay enables studying toxic effects at the level of biomolecules and physicochemical processes, as well as determining the toxicity of general and oxidative types. Toxic and detoxifying effects of bioactive compounds were studied. Fullerenols, perspective pharmaceutical agents, nanosized particles, water‐soluble polyhydroxylated fullerene‐60 derivatives were chosen as bioactive compounds. Two homologous fullerenols with different number and type of substituents, C₆₀O_2–4(OH)_20–24 and Fe_0.5C₆₀(OH) _xO_y (x + y = 40–42), were used. They suppressed bioluminescent intensity at concentrations >0.01 g L^?1 and >0.001 g L^?1 for C₆₀O_2–4(OH)_20‐24 and Fe_0.5C₆₀(OH)_xO_y, respectively; hence, a lower toxicity of C₆₀O_2–4(OH)_20–24 was demonstrated. Antioxidant activity of fullerenols was studied in model solutions of organic and inorganic oxidizers; changes in toxicities of general and oxidative type were determined; detoxification coefficients were calculated. Fullerenol C₆₀O_2–4(OH)_20–24 revealed higher antioxidant ability at concentrations 10^?17?10^?5 g L^?1. The difference in the toxicity and antioxidant activity of fullerenols was explained through their electron donor/acceptor properties and different catalytic activity. Principles of bioluminescent enzyme assay application for evaluating the toxic effect and antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds were summarized and the procedure steps were described.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Some Tri‐Substituted Imidazole/thiazole Derivatives

A novel compound series of tri‐substituted imidazole/thiazole derivatives ( 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i ) were prepared by Radziszewski reaction. Benzil ( 1 ), ammonium acetate or ammonium thiocynate, and 1‐phenyl‐3‐(p‐substituted phenyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehyde ( 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e , 2f , 2g ) were reacted to give the desired product. Synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis (CHNS) and spectral analysis (FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C FT NMR, and LC–MS). All the compounds were screened for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antimycobacterial activities. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against some bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli (MTCC 443), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Streptococcus pyogenes (MTCC 442), and the H₃₇Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the fungal activity was observed against strains, for example, Candida albicans (MTCC 227), Aspergillus niger (MTCC 282), and Aspergillus clavatus (MTCC 1323). All the synthesized compounds were found to possess moderate to excellent activity against the above selected strains.     

Design,Synthesis, and In Vitro Antileishmanial and Antitumor Activities of New Tetrahydroquinolines

A novel series of tetrahydroquinolines containing acetohydrazide, oxopyrazole, oxothioxodihydropyrazole, and thioxotriazole have been synthesized. Antileishmanial, antitumor, and cytotoxicity activities of synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro. Antileishmanial activity of the most synthesized compounds showed tremendous activity towards Leishmania major. Most of the test compounds exhibited significant level of tumor inhibition. The tetrahydropyrano[2,3‐b]quinolin‐2‐one 6 and 4‐oxo‐4H‐pyrazol‐3‐yloxytetrahydroquinoline‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives 18 showed 100% tumor inhibition comparable with standard drug vincristine (100% tumor inhibition). Tetrahydroquinolines under investigation showed cytotoxicity with LD₅₀ values in the range 0.56–3.01 μg/mL compared with standard drug MS‐222 with LD₅₀ value of 4.30 μg/mL. The presence of a pyrazole ring markedly improved the activity profiles of tetrahydroquinoline. All newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, and MS.     

Synthesis and antioxidant activities of novel N‐aryl (and N‐alkyl) γ‐ and δ‐imino esters and ketimines

Novel N‐aryl (and N‐alkyl) γ‐ and δ‐imino esters 2a–g ( 3a–g ) and N‐aryl (and N‐alkyl) ketimines 2h–j ( 3h–j ) were synthesized in high yields (80–99%) from their corresponding γ‐ and δ‐keto esters and ketones in this study. The structures of the synthesized compounds were clarified by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), NMR (¹H and ¹³C), mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. Isomerizations [E/Z] were also determined by their ¹H NMR spectra. The free‐radical scavenging activity of imines was evaluated using the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) method. The relationships between the structure and antioxidant activity of these compounds are discussed. Among these compounds, 2a–c (at the concentration 1000 μg/mL) exhibit high antioxidant activity similar to those of the standards (butylated hydroxyanisole [ BHA], butylated hydroxytoluene [ BHT], and ascorbic acid).     

Antioxidative vs cytotoxic activities of organotin complexes bearing 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol moieties

Two series of organotin(IV) complexes with Sn–S bonds on the base of 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐mercaptophenol ( L ¹ SH ) of formulae Me₂Sn(L¹S)₂ ( 1 ); Et₂Sn(L¹S)₂ ( 2 ); Bu₂Sn(L¹S)₂ ( 3 ); Ph ₂ Sn(L¹S)₂ ( 4 ); (L¹)₂Sn(L¹S)₂ ( 5 ); Me₃Sn(L¹S) ( 6 ); Ph₃Sn(L¹S) ( 7 ) (L¹ = 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl), together with the new ones [Me₃SnCl(L²)] ( 8 ), [Me₂SnCl₂(L²)₂] ( 9 ) ( L ²  = 2‐(N‐3′,5′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐iminomethylphenol) were used to study their antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Novel complexes 8 , 9 of Me_nSnCl_4 ? n (n = 3, 2) with Schiff base were synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of compounds 8 and 9 were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The distorted tetrahedral geometry around the Sn center in the monocrystals of 8 was revealed, the Schiff base is coordinated to the tin(IV) atom by electrostatic interaction and formation of short contact Sn–O 2.805 Å. In the case of complex 9 the distorted octahedron coordination of Sn atom is formed. The antioxidant activity of compounds as radical scavengers and reducing agents was proved spectrophotometrically in tests with stable radical DPPH, reduction of Cu²⁺ (CUPRAC method) and interaction with superoxide radical‐anion. Moreover, compounds have been screened for in vitro cytotoxicity on eight human cancer cell lines. A high activity against all cell lines with IC₅₀ values 60–160 nM was determined for the triphenyltin complex 7 , while the introduction of Schiff base decreased the cytotoxicity of the complexes. The influence on mitochondrial potential and mitochondrial permeability for the compounds 8 and 9 has been studied. It is shown that studied complexes depolarize the mitochondria but don't influence the calcium‐induced mitochondrial permeability transition.     

Synthesis,Bioactivity, and the Anion‐Binding Property of 2‐Sulfydryl‐1,3,4‐thiodiazole Derivatives

Two new compounds ( 1 and 2 ) containing 2‐sulfydryl‐1,3,4‐thiodiazole have been synthesized and optimized. They both showed wide antibacterial activity for colon bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, S. albus, dysentery bacillus and inferior activity for Bacillus subtilis. In addition, their binding properties were evaluated for biologically important anions (F^–, Cl^–, Br^–, I^–, AcO^–, and H₂PO₄^–) by theoretical investigation, UV–vis, fluorescence, and ¹H NMR titration experiments, and they displayed strong binding ability for H₂PO₄^– without the interference of other anions tested. Especially the binding ability of compound 2 containing anthracene with H₂PO₄^– was 1000 times stronger than that of compound 1 containing nitrobenzene. Two compounds based on 2‐sulfydryl‐1,3,4‐thiodiazole have both properties of anion recognition and antibacterial activity.     

The Synthesis,Spectral, and Electrochemical Characterization of Novel Alkoxybenzoquinone Derivatives

The novel monosubstituted benzoquinone compounds 3e , 3g , 3h ; 2,5‐O‐ substituted benzoquinone compounds 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e 4g and known compound 4h and 2,6‐O‐ substituted benzoquinone compounds 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h were obtained by the reaction of p‐chloranil ( 1 ) and related alcohol compounds in potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) solution of acetonitrile or chloroform with Et₃N. The novel cyclic compounds 7 , 8 and 10 , 11 were obtained from the reaction of p‐chloranil ( 1 ) and diols in potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) solution of acetonitrile at room temperature. The structures of novel compounds were characterized by using micro analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, MS and cyclic voltammetry.     

Phosphorus‐based Schiff bases and their complexes as nontoxic antioxidants: Structure–activity relationship and mechanism of action

Phosphorus‐based Schiff base were synthesized by treating bis{3‐[2‐(4‐amino‐1.5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐pyrazol‐3‐ylideneamino)ethyl]‐indol‐1‐ylmethyl}‐phosphinic acid with paraformaldehyde and characterized as a novel antioxidant. Its corresponding complexes [(VO)₂L(SO₄)₂], [Ni₂LCl₄], [Co₂LCl₄], [Cu₂LCl₄], [Zn₂LCl₄], [Cd₂LCl₄], [Hg₂LCl₄], [Pd₂LCl₄], and [PtLCl]Cl₂ were analyzed by Fourier transform‐infrared, (¹H and ¹³C) nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Experimental data showed that the ligand coordinated with the metal ions via donor atoms such as nitrogen to form an octahedral arrangement of the Schiff base around the central transition‐metal atom. The nature of these complexes was identified using the molar ratio and Job's methods, with the results agreeing with a metal‐to‐ligand (M:L) molar ratio of 2:1, expect for Pt, whose M:L was 1:1. Thermodynamic activation parameters such as ?E*, ?H*, ?S*, ?G*, and K were determined from the thermogravimetric analysis curve using the Coats–Redfern method. The antioxidant activities of the prepared compounds were assessed by using 1.1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl as the free radical, and the results show that the complex Schiff bases were found to possess potent antioxidant activity. The structure–activity relationship of the ligand and its complexes indicates that the presence of electron‐donating moieties, such as Co(II) and Ni(II), in the chemical structure increases the antioxidant activity, whereas the Pt(IV) and Pd(II) complexes diminished the antioxidant activity, indicating the superior activity of the hydroxyl radical (OH^·) over the superoxide radical.     

Synthesis,characterization and α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition studies of novel vanadyl chalcone complexes

A series of chalcone ligands and their corresponding vanadyl complexes of composition [VO (L^I–IV)₂(H₂O)₂]SO₄ (where L^I = 1,3‐Diphenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one, L^II = 3‐(2‐Hydroxy‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone, L^III = 3‐(3‐Nitro‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone, L^IV = 3‐(4‐Methoxy‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone) have been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic (Fourier‐transform infrared, electrospray ionization mass, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer) and physico‐analytic techniques. Antidiabetic activities of synthesized complexes along with chalcones were evaluated by performing in vitro and in silico α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition studies. The obtained results displayed moderate to significant inhibition activity against both the enzymes by vanadyl chalcone complexes. The most potent complexes were further investigated for the enzyme kinetic studies and displayed the mixed inhibition for both the enzymes. Further, antioxidant activity of vanadyl chalcone complexes was evaluated for their efficiency to release oxidative stress using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate assay, and two complexes (Complexes 2 and 4 ) have demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity. All the complexes were found to possess promising antidiabetic and antioxidant potential.     

Design,Synthesis, and Herbicidal Activities of 3‐Aryl‐4‐substituted‐5‐[3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]‐1,2,4‐triazoles

In order to find novel bleaching herbicide lead compounds, a series of novel 3‐aryl‐4‐substituted‐5‐[3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]‐1,2,4‐triazoles were designed and synthesized by the multi‐step reactions. N‐(Arylformamido)phenylthioureas undergo ring closure in the presence of sodium hydroxide to generate 3‐aryl‐4‐substituted‐4H‐[1,2,4]triazol‐5‐thiols 1 , which reacted with methyl sulfate in the presence of K₂CO₃ to give 3‐aryl‐5‐methylsulfanyl‐4‐substituted‐4H‐[1,2,4]triazoles 2 . The target compounds 4 were synthesized by the oxidation of 2 in the presence of H₂O₂ and Na₂WO₄, followed by the substitution with 3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenol in moderate to good yields. Their structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, EI–MS, and elemental analyses. The preliminary bioassay indicated that some of them displayed moderate to good selective herbicidal activity against Brassica campestris L at the concentration of 100 µg/mL. Compounds 4c and 4i possessed 75.0% and 82.6% inhibition against Brassica campestris L at the concentration of 100 µg/mL. However, the target compounds 4 showed weak herbicidal activity against Echinochloa crus‐galli at the concentration of 100 and 10 µg/mL.     

Synthesis of New (Pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole Derivatives by Unexpected Aromatization During Oxidative Cyclization of 4,5‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carbohydrazones and Their Biological Activities

A series of novel 2‐(4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐5‐(Aryl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles were synthesized by unexpected aromatization during oxidative cyclization of 4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carbohydrazones using chloramine‐T as an oxidant. The hydrazones were derived from 4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carbohydrazide and various substituted aldehydes. The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectral data. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antitubercular and antioxidant activities. All the compounds 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h and 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h showed good antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (minimum inhibitory concentration = 25 µg/mL for 4f and 4g , 50–100 µg/mL for the rest). However, all the compounds exhibited poor antioxidant activity against 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazil free radical.     

Synthesis,antioxidant, and anticholinesterase activities of novel N-arylsulfonyl hydrazones bearing sulfonate ester scaffold

In this research, two new series of N-arylsulfonyl hydrazone compounds ( 14 – 25 ) possessing a sulfonate moiety were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic techniques including fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), ¹H-, and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These compounds synthesized as target molecules ( 14 – 25 ) were tested for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition activities and antioxidant potential. The antioxidant capacities of the tested molecules were determined by four different assays. The IC₅₀ values of the screened molecules were determined in the range of 60.14 ± 0.25–84.81 ± 1.09 μM against AChE and in the range of 70.11 ± 0.67–93.60 ± 0.47 μM against BChE. In the AChE assay, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde-based compound 25 (60.14 ± 0.25 μM) showed the highest activity in comparison to rivastigmine (501 ± 3.08 μM). This compound (71.42 ± 0.19 μM) is also one of the compounds with the highest activity against BChE. In the BChE assay, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde-based compound 19 (70.11 ± 0.67 μM) indicated the highest activity in comparison to rivastigmine (19.95 ± 0.20 μM). In antioxidant activity studies, the tested molecules showed lower activities than the standard compounds (butylated hydroxytoluene and α-tocopherol). Consequently, some novel compounds can be used as potential inhibitor candidates in future studies.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of new pyridyl‐ and thiazolyl‐bearing carbohydrazides

A series of novel substituted (E)‐N′‐benzylidene‐4‐methyl‐2‐(2‐propylpyridin‐4‐yl)thiazole‐5‐carbohydrazide derivatives ( 6a‐l ) have been synthesized by following the multistep synthetic route starting from prothionamide. The resulting compounds were characterized via ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS spectral data. The synthesized carbohydrazides were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Tested molecules have displayed moderate to good growth inhibition activity. Among the screened compounds, 6b , 6e , 6j, and 6k are found to be the more promising antimicrobial agents. A 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay was used to test the antioxidant activity of the carbohydrazides. The carbohydrazide derivatives 6b and 6i have shown better free‐radical scavenging ability than the other investigated compounds.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing 4‐methoxybenzhydrazone ligands: synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,DNA cleavage,radical scavenging and in vitro cytotoxic activity

Three ruthenium(II) hydrazone complexes of composition [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂L] were synthesized from the reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] with hydrazones derived from 4‐methoxybenzhydrazide and 4‐formylbenzoic acid (HL¹), 4‐methylbenzaldehyde (HL²) and 2‐bromobenzaldehyde (HL³). The synthesized hydrazone ligands and their metal complexes were characterized using elemental analysis and infrared, UV–visible, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) and mass spectral techniques. The hydrazone ligands act as bidentate ones, with O and N as the donor sites, and are predominantly found in the enol form in all the complexes studied. The molecular structures of the ligands HL¹, HL² and HL³ were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The interactions of the ligands and the complexes with calf thymus DNA were studied using absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry which revealed that the compounds could interact with calf thymus DNA through intercalation. The DNA cleavage activity of the complexes was evaluated using a gel electrophoresis assay which revealed that the complexes act as good DNA cleavage agents. In addition, all the complexes were subjected to antioxidant assay, which showed that they all possess significant scavenging activity against 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, OH and NO radicals. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of the complexes examined on cancerous cell lines (HeLa and MCF‐7) showed that the complexes exhibit substantial anticancer activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.