Ternary copper(II) complex of 1,10-phenanthroline and L-glycine: crystal structure and interaction with DNA

A ternary copper(II) complex, [Cu(phen)(L-Gly)(H₂O)] ·?NO₃ ·?1.5H₂O (phen =?1,10-phenanthroline, L-Gly =?L-glycine), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The complex crystallized in a monoclinic system with space group C2/c, a =?20.572(3) Å, b =?6.9987(10) Å, c =?23.561(3) Å, β?= 98.776(5)°. The five-coordinate copper(II) center is a distorted square pyramid. Absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and viscosity measurements showed interaction between the copper complex and DNA through an intercalative mode. The complex exhibited efficient DNA cleavage activity at micromolar concentration in the presence of ascorbate with hydroxyl radicals as the active species.