Synthesis,crystal structure,DNA binding,and DNA cleavage of a zinc complex containing N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine

A water-soluble zinc complex, Zn(bpea)Cl₂] (1) (bpea?=?N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylamine), was prepared to serve as a nuclease mimic. The complex was characterized by X-ray, infrared, and UV spectroscopy. Interactions of the complex with calf thymus-DNA (ct-DNA) have been investigated by UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies; the mode of ct-DNA binding for 1 has been proposed. DNA cleavage activities by 1 were performed in the absence of external agents. The influences of different complex concentrations or reaction times on DNA cleavage were studied.