Synthesis,crystal structure,and DNA binding of a new oxalato-bridged binuclear zinc(II) complex

A new binuclear zinc(II) complex bridged by μ-oxalate, and end-capped with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), Zn₂(ox)(bpy)₄](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, and electronic spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the Zn₂(ox)(bpy)₄]²⁺ cation has two zinc(II) centers bridged by a planar bis(bidentate) oxalate group with Zn···Zn distance of 5.482(3) Å; each zinc(II) is in a distorted octahedral environment. The crystal structure is stabilized by non-classical C–H···O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions to form a 3-D supramolecular structure. The interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was explored by using electronic and fluorescence spectra and viscosity measurements. The results reveal that the complex intercalates with CT-DNA with intrinsic binding constant of 4.1 × 10⁴ M^?1.