Synthesis,characterization, density functional theory,thermal, antimicrobial efficacy,and DNA binding/cleavage studies of Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Pt(IV) complexes with a derivative of 2-hydroxyphenoxymethylfuran-5-carbaldehyde

In this study, Seven new complexes incorporating (E)-2-(((5-([2-hydroxyphenoxy]methyl)furan-2-yl)methylene)amino)phenol derived from 2-hydroxyphenoxymethylfuran-5-carbaldehyde and 2-aminophenol have been synthesized using Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Pt(IV) metal salts. Thermal measurements, molar conductance, magnetic moment, elemental analyses, spectral (IR, UV–Vis, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ESR, Mass), were used to characterize insulated solid complexes. The thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermoanalysis (DTA) of the complexes were carried out in the range of 30–900°C. Magnetic susceptibility and electronic spectral data, as well as quantum chemical calculations, reveal the square planar geometry for Ni (II) complex, square planar/octahedral geometry for Cu (II) complex, while Co(II), Zn(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), and Pt (IV) complexes are octahedral geometry. Density functional theory (DFT) studies revealed that geometries of metal complexes and Schiff base were entirely optimized in relation to use energy by 6–31 + g (d,p) basis set. The complexes show a well-defined crystal system indicated by a powder-X-ray diffraction pattern. The scanning electron microscope showed complexes were nanocrystalline in nature, in addition to the interaction of the complexes with calf thymus CT-DNA, which was investigated via the UV–visible absorption method. Therefore, the DNA cleavage activity by the H₂L ligand and its metal complexes was performed. Finally, the synthesized complexes were tested for their in-vitro antimicrobial efficacy.     

DNA damage induced by sulfite autoxidation catalyzed by copper(II) tetraglycine complexes

Copper(II)/(III) tetraglycine complexes were investigated for their ability to catalyze the autoxidation of sulfite resulting in oxidative DNA damage. The focus of this work is on DNA damage by Cu(III) and oxysulfur radicals formed by the oxidation of S(IV) oxides by dissolved oxygen in the presence of Cu(II) tetraglycine complexes. The results suggest that sulfite is rapidly oxidized by oxygen in the presence of Cu(II) complexes producing Cu(III) tetraglycine, which can be monitored spectrophotometrically at 365 nm. A synergistic effect of Cu(II) with a second metal ion (Ni(II), Co(II) or Mn(II) traces) was observed.     

Effect of the Nature of Crosslinking Agent on the Catalase‐Like Activity of Polystyrene‐Bound Glycine–Metal Complexes

Abstract

Catalase‐like activity of metal complexes of various crosslinked polystyrene‐supported glycines were carried out and correlated with the nature of crosslinking agent in the polymer support. Polystyrenes with 2 mol% divinyl benzene (DVB), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDODA) crosslinking were used as polymer supports. Glycine functions were incorporated to the chloromethylpolystyrenes by polymer analogues reactions and complexed with Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions. The metal uptake varied in the order: Cu(II) > Cr(III) > Mn(II) > Co(II) > Fe(III) > Ni(II) > Zn(II), and extent of metal uptake by various crosslinked systems varied with the nature of crosslinking agent. The polymeric ligands and the metal complexes were characterized by various analytical techniques. The catalytic activities of these metal complexes were investigated towards the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and was found to decrease in the order: Co(II) > Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Cr(III) > Fe(III) > Mn(II) > Zn(II). With increasing rigidity of the crosslinking agent the catalytic activity also decreased.     

A simple copper(II)-L-histidine system for efficient hydrolytic cleavage of DNA

Copper(II)-L-histidine complexes effectively promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA and dideoxynucleotide dApdA at physiological pH and temperature. Studies of the mechanism of plasmid DNA cleavage by added radical scavengers, using rigorously anaerobic experiments, analyses for malondialdehyde-like products, religation assays, and HPLC analyses, indicate that DNA cleavage mediated by Cu(L-His) occurs via a hydrolytic path. The hydrolytic cleavage rate constants at 37 degrees C are estimated to be 0.76 h-1 for the decrease of form I and 0.25 h-1 for the increase of form III. The phosphoimager picture reveals that Cu(L-His) cleaves DNA with a certain sequence specificity (preferentially at 5'-GT-3'). The dinucleotide hydrolysis shows, with [Cu(L-His)] = 0.8 mM, rate enhancement factors of > 10(8). Interestingly, histidine-metal ion interactions (with Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), etc.) have been used for various applications, e.g., protein purification, cross-linking, and targeting proteins to lipid bilayers. Our findings may provide the basis for developing new applications and new ways to design more effective and useful catalysts for DNA cleavage. Cu(L-His) is one of only a few well-defined metal complexes demonstrated to hydrolytically cleave dideoxynucleotides and DNA.     

Micellar colorimetric determination of iron, cobalt, nickel and copper using 1-nitroso-2-naphthol

1-Nitroso-2-naphthol, an excellent color-forming chelating agent, combines to Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and so on to form slightly soluble complexes in aqueous solution. To determine these metal ions, a tedious and time consuming separation technique, such as liquid-liquid extraction, has often been performed. However, these metal-1-nitroso-2-naphthol complexes could be determined conveniently by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry in Tween 80 micellar medium that has polyoxyethylene groups. After conditions such as pH, the amount of 1-nitroso-2-naphthol and the stability were adjusted to their optimum values, the sensitivities of the metal ions in Tween 80 medium and in chloroform were compared. It was shown that the sensitivities of Fe(III) and Co(II) in Tween 80 medium were higher than in chloroform, but that of Cu(II) was lower. The interfering effects among analytes ions, Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) were more serious than by other ions, but the interfering effects could be removed by adjusting pH or adding the masking agents such as NH(3) or oxalate. Detection limits of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) were 0.024, 0.016, 0.039 and 0.023 mug ml(-1), respectively, and the correlation coefficients of these calibration curves were above 0.996. Recovery yields of the metal ions in the mixed standard solution ranged from 96 to 103%, and their coefficients of variation were low ranging between 0.94 and 1.75%. Cu(II) in brass sample and the amount of Fe(III) in steel sample were also determined. This proposed technique is simple, convenient and speedy.     

Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activity of homodinuclear complexes derived from 2,6- bis [3′-methyl- 2′-carboxamidyliminomethyl(6′,7′)benzindole]-4-methylphenol,an end-off compartmental ligand

End-off compartmental pentadentate Schiff base, 2,6-bis[3′-methyl-2′-carboxamidyliminomethyl(6′,7′)benzindole]-4-methylphenol is synthesized and characterized by 2D NMR experiments and mass spectral techniques. The homodinuclear phenalato bridged end-off compartmental Schiff-base complexes Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Fe(III), VO(IV), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) have been prepared by the template method using the precursors 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol, 3-methyl(6′,7′)-2-benzindolehydrazide and metal chlorides in 1?:?2?:?2 ratio. The complexes are characterized by IR, NMR, UV-vis, FAB-mass, ESR and TGA techniques. Ni(II), Mn(II) and Fe(III) complexes have octahedral geometry, whereas the Cu(II), Co(II), VO(IV), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes have square pyramidal geometry. Low magnetic moment values for Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Fe(III) and VO(IV) complexes indicate antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction between two metal centers. The metal complexes have been screened for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum.     

Asymmetric Schiff Base (N 2 O 3 ) Complexes as Ligands Towards Mn(II), Fe(III) and Co(II), Synthesis and Characterization

Heterobi- and tri-nuclear complexes [LMM'Cl] and [(LM) 2 M'](M=Ni or Cu and M'=Mn, Fe or Co) have been synthesised. The heteronuclear complexes were prepared by stepwise reactions using two mononuclear Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the general formula [HLM]·1/2H 2 O, as ligands towards the metal ions, Mn(II), Fe(III) and Co(II). The asymmetrical pentadentate (N 2 O 3 ) Schiff-base ligands used were prepared by condensing acetoacetylphenol and ethylenediamine, molar ratio 1 1, to yield a half-unit compound which was further condensed with either salicylaldehyde or naphthaldehyde to yield the ligands H 3 L 1 and H 3 L 2 which possess two dissimilar coordination sites, an inner four-coordinate N 2 O 2 donor set and an outer three-coordinated O 2 O set. 1 H NMR and IR spectra indicate that the Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions are bonded to the inner N 2 O 2 sites of the ligands leaving their outer O 2 O sites vacant for further coordination. Different types of products were obtained according to the type of metal ion. These products differ in stoichiometry according to the type of ligand in the parent compound. Electronic spectra and magnetic moments indicate that the structures of the parent Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes are square-planar while the geometry around Fe(III), Mn(II) and Co(II) in their products are octahedral as elucidated from IR, UV-visible, ESR, 1 H NMR, mass spectrometry and magnetic moments.     

Metallobleomycin-mediated cleavage of DNA not involving a threading-intercalation mechanism.

The DNA cleavage properties of metallobleomycins conjugated to three solid supports were investigated using plasmid DNA, relaxed covalently closed circular DNA, and linear duplex DNA as substrates. Cleavage of pBR322 and pSP64 plasmid DNAs by Fe(II).BLM A(5)-CPG-C(2) was observed with efficiencies not dissimilar to that obtained using free Fe(II).BLM A(5). Similar results were observed following Fe(II).BLM A(5)-CPG-C(2)-mediated cleavage of a relaxed plasmid, a substrate that lacks ends or negative supercoiling capable of facilitating strand separation. BLMs covalently tethered to solid supports, including Fe(II).BLM A(5)-Sepharose 4B, Fe(II).BLM A(5)-CPG-C(6), and Fe(II).BLM A(5)-CPG-C(2), cleaved a 5'-(32)P end labeled linear DNA duplex with a sequence selectivity identical to that of free Fe(II).BLM A(5); cleavage predominated at 5'-G(82)T(83)-3' and 5'-G(84)T(85)-3'. To verify that these results could also be obtained using other metallobleomycins, supercoiled plasmid DNA and a linear DNA duplex were employed as substrates for Co(III).BLM A(5)-CPG-C(2). Free green Co(III).BLM A(5) was only about 2-fold more efficient than green Co(III).BLM A(5)-CPG-C(2) in effecting DNA cleavage. A similar result was obtained using Cu(II).BLM A(5)-CPG-C(2) + dithiothreitol. In addition, the conjugated Co.BLM A(5) and Cu.BLM A(5) cleaved the linear duplex DNA with a sequence selectivity identical to that of the respective free metalloBLMs. Interestingly, when supercoiled plasmid DNA was used as a substrate, conjugated Fe.BLM A(5) and Co.BLM A(5) were both found to produce Form III DNA in addition to Form II DNA. The formation of Form III DNA by conjugated Fe.BLM A(5) was assessed quantitatively. When corrected for differences in the intrinsic efficiencies of DNA cleavage by conjugated vs free BLMs, conjugated Fe.BLM A(5) was found to produce Form III DNA to about the same extent as the respective free Fe.BLM A(5), arguing that this conjugated BLM can also effect double-strand cleavage of DNA. Although previous evidence supporting DNA intercalation by some metallobleomycins is convincing, the present evidence indicates that threading intercalation is not a requirement for DNA cleavage by Fe(II).BLM A(5), Co(III).BLM A(5), or Cu(I).BLM A(5).     

Salisaldehyde-2-aminobenzimidazole schiff base complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)

New metal complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with salicylidine-2-aminobenzimidazole (SABI) are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are investigated using elemental and thermal analyses, IR, conductometric, solid reflectance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The base reacts with these metal ions to give 1:1 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in cases of Fe(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions; and 1:2 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in case of Ni(II) ion. The conductance data reveal that Fe(III) complex is 2:1 electrolyte, Co(II) is 1:2 electrolyte, Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes are 1:1 electrolytes while Ni(II) is non-electrolyte. IR spectra showed that the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in a terdentate mannar with O, N, N donor sites of the phenloic -OH, azomethine -N and benzimidazole -N3. Magnetic and solid reflectance spectra are used to infer the coordinating capacity of the ligand and the geometrical structure of these complexes. The thermal decomposition of the complexes is studied and indicates that not only the coordinated and/or crystallization water is lost but also that the decomposition of the ligand from the complexes is necessary to interpret the successive mass loss. Different thermodynamic activation parameters are also reported, using Coats-Redfern method. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenoxo-bridged symmetrical homobinuclear complexes derived from an “end-off” compartmental ligand, 2,6- bis [5′-chloro-3′-phenyl- 1H -indole-2′-carboxamidyliminomethyl]-4-methylphenol

A compartment ligand 2,6-bis[5′-chloro-3′-phenyl-1H-indole-2′-carboxamidyliminomethyl]-4-methylphenol was prepared and homobinuclear phenol-bridged Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Fe(III), and Mn(II) complexes have been prepared by the template method using the precursors 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol, 5-chloro-3-phenylindole-2-carbohydrazide and metal chlorides in 1 : 2 : 2 ratio, respectively. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility data, IR, NMR, FAB mass and ESR spectra, TGA, and powder XRD data. Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes exhibit square pyramidal geometry whereas Ni(II), Mn(II), and Fe(III) complexes are octahedral. Low magnetic moment values for Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(III), and Mn(II) complexes show antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction between two metal centers in binuclear complexes. The ligand and its complexes were tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus, and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.     

Molten potassium thiocyanate: The reactions of some compounds of iron,cobalt, nickel,copper and zinc

The electronic spectra of four transition metal cations stable in molten potassium thiocyanate [Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(I)] are reported together with their reactions and those of three unstable cations [Fe(III), Co(III) and Cu(II)] with a variety of anions including cyanide, cyanate and sulphide. A novel reduction of zinc(II) sulphate is also reported.     

Coordination "oligomers" in self-assembly reactions of some "tritopic" picolinic dihydrazone ligands-mononuclear, dinuclear, hexanuclear, heptanuclear, and nonanuclear examples

"Tritopic" picolinic dihydrazone ligands with tridentate coordination pockets are designed to produce homoleptic [3 x 3] nonanuclear square grid complexes on reaction with transition-metal salts, and many structurally documented examples have been obtained with Mn(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions. However, other oligomeric complexes with smaller nuclearities have also been discovered and identified structurally in some reactions involving Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), with certain tritopic ligands. This illustrates the dynamic nature of the metal-ligand interaction and the conformationally flexible nature of the ligands and points to the possible involvement of some of these species as intermediates in the [3 x 3] grid formation process. Examples of mononuclear, dinuclear, hexanuclear, heptanuclear, and nonanuclear species involving Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) salts with a series of potentially heptadentate picolinic dihydrazone ligands with pyrazine, pyrimidine, and pyridine end groups are described in the present study. Iron and cobalt complexation reactions are complicated by redox processes, which lead to mixed-oxidation-state Co(II)/Co(III) systems when starting with Co(II) salts, and reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) when starting with Fe(III). Magnetic exchange within the polynuclear structural frameworks is discussed and related to the structural features.     

Extraction of Fe(III), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) with thenoyltrifluoroacetone using the ternary solvent system water/ethanol/methylisobutylketone

Single-phase solutions (1.72 x 10(-2)M in TTA) of water/ethanol/MIBK, when added to an excess of water, break down into two immiscible liquid layers and TTA complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and PB(II) are extracted into the organic layer. Quantitative extractions were obtained for the five metals and separations of Fe(III) from a 1000-fold excess of Co(II), NI(II) or PB(II) are obtained. The reactions of the metal ions with TTA were studied in the single-phase solutions before the extraction step, giving useful information as to their complexation behavior.     

Schiff-Basen aus 1,3-Dicarbonylverbindungen und Triaminen und ihre Fe (III)-, Co (III)-, Ni(II)- und Cu(II)-Komplexe

Schiff bases of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with triamines and their Fe(III), Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes The preparation of new hexadentate ligands obtained by the reaction of cis, cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach) or 1,1,1-tris (aminomethyl)ethane (tame) with an 2-ethoxymethylidene-1,3-dicarbonyl compound as well as their Fe(III), Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes is reported. Fe(III) and Co(III) yield neutral complexes with an octahedral N₃O₃-coordination sphere, Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with a square-planar coordination-sphere. In the later complexes one of the bidentate branches of the ligand is not deprotonated and stays uncoordinated.     

Synthesis and characterization of 3-methyl-5-oxo-N,1-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1-H-pyrazole-4-carbothioamide and its metal complexes

The molecular parameters have been calculated to confirm the geometry of 3-methyl-5-oxo-N,1-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1-H-pyrazole-4-carbothioamide, HL. The compound is introduced as a new chelating agent for complexation with Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions. The isolated chelates were characterized by partial elemental analyses, magnetic moments, spectra (IR, UV–vis, ESR; ¹H NMR) and thermal studies. The protonation constant of HL (5.04) and the stepwise stability constants of its Co(II), Cu(II), Cr(III) and Fe(III) complexes were calculated. The ligand coordinates as a monobasic bidentate through hydroxo and thiol groups in all complexes except Cr(III) which acts as a monobasic monodentate through the enolized carbonyl oxygen. Cr(III) and Fe(III) complexes measured normal magnetic moments; Cu(II) and Co(II) measured subnormal while Ni(II) complex is diamagnetic. The data confirm a high spin and low spin octahedral structures for the Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes. The ESR spectrum of the Cu(II) complex support the binuclear structure. The molecular parameters have also been calculated for the Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes. The thermal decomposition stages of the complexes confirm the MS to be the residual part. Also, the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were calculated for some decomposition steps.     

Formation of 1 D and 3 D coordination polymers in the solid state induced by mechanochemical and annealing treatments: bis(3-cyano-pentane-2,4-dionato) metal complexes

Bis(3-cyano-pentane-2,4-dionato) (CNacac) metal complex, [M(CNacac)(2)], which acts as both a metal-ion-like and a ligand-like building unit, forms supramolecular structures by self-assembly. Co-grinding of the metal acetates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with CNacacH formed a CNacac complex in all cases: mononuclear complex was formed in the cases of Mn(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), whereas polymeric ones were formed in the cases of Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II). Subsequent annealing converted the mononuclear complexes of Mn(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) to their corresponding polymers as a result of dehydration of the mononuclear complexes. The resultant Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) polymeric complexes had a common 3 D structure with high thermal stability. In the case of Cu(II), a 1 D polymer was obtained. The Mn(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) polymeric complexes returned to their original mononuclear complexes on exposure to water vapour but they reverted to the polymeric complexes by re-annealing. Co-grinding of metal chlorides with CNacacH and annealing of the mononuclear CNacac complexes prepared from solution reactions were also examined for comparison. [Mn(CNacac)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], [M(CNacac)(2)(H(2)O)] (M=Cu(II) and Zn(II)) and [M(CNacac)(2)](infinity) (M=Mn(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II)) are new compounds, which clearly indicated the power of the combined mechanochemical/annealing method for the synthesis of varied metal coordination complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of some pyrimidine, purine, amino acid and mixed ligand complexes

Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes of barbital, thiouracil, adenine, amino acids (methionine, lysine and alanine) and some mixed ligands were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility and ESR spectra. Coordination of the metallic centre to the oxygen and nitrogen atoms of barbital, thiouracil, amino acids and coordinate to amino group and nitrogen atom of adenine occurred. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements were utilized to infer the structure of the complexes which are octahedral for Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) and tetrahedral for Mn(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) complexes. ESR spectra were observed for copper complexes with a d(x2)-(y2) ground state with small g(||) values indicating strong interaction between the ligands and their metal ions.     

Catalytic Activity of 3d-Metal Coordination Compounds with Diphenylthiocarbazide

The catalytic activity of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) diphenylthiocarbazide complexes in decomposition of hydrogen peroxide was studied. The activation energies of this reaction were correlated with the strength of ligand bonding to the metal atom in the catalyst molecule.     

Transition metal complexes of bis(diphenylphosphine oxide)methane

Complexes of bis(diphenylphosphine oxide)methane with Fe(III), Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) have been prepared and characterized. Experimental data are in support of chelation by the ligand to give 6-coordinate metal ions. The properties of the complexes are similar to those for the corresponding complexes of octamethylpyrophosphoramide.     

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with coumarin-8-yl Schiff-bases: spectroscopic, in vitro antimicrobial, DNA cleavage and fluorescence studies

A new series of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the type ML·2H2O of Schiff-bases derived from m-substituted thiosemicarbazides and 8-acetyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic studies. Schiff-bases exhibit thiol-thione tautomerism wherein sulphur plays an important role in the coordination. The coordination possibility of the Schiff-bases towards metal ions have been proposed in the light of elemental analyses, spectral (IR, UV-vis, FAB-mass, ESR and fluorescence), magnetic and thermal studies. The low molar conductance values in DMF indicate that, the metal complexes are non-electrolytes. The cyclic voltammetric studies suggested that, the Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes are of single electron transfer quasi-reversible nature. The Schiff-bases and its metal complexes have been evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphilococcus aureus, Bascillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi) and antifungal activities (Candida albicans, Cladosporium and Aspergillus niger) by MIC method. The Schiff-base I and its metal complexes exhibited DNA cleavage activity on isolated DNA of A. niger.