A zinc(II) complex with tris(2-( N -methyl)benzimidazlylmethyl)amine and salicylate: synthesis,crystal structure,and DNA-binding

A five-coordinate zinc complex with tris(2-(N-methyl)benzimidazylmethyl)amine (Mentb) and salicylate, with composition [Zn(Mentb)(salicylate)](NO₃), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-Vis spectral measurements. The crystal structure of the zinc complex shows that Zn(II) is bonded to tris(2-(N-methyl)benzimidazylmethyl)amine (Mentb) and a salicylate through four nitrogens and one oxygen, and the coordination geometry is best described as distorted trigonal-bipyramid. The DNA-binding of the Zn(II) complex and Mentb were investigated by spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements, and the results suggest that the Zn(II) complex binds to DNA via intercalation; the binding affinity of the Zn(II) complex to DNA is greater than Mentb. Additionally, Zn(II) complex exhibited potential to scavenge hydroxyl radical in vitro.