Copper(II) complexes with 4-hydroxyacetophenone-derived acylhydrazones: synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and cleavage properties.

ABSTRACT

Two new Cu(II) complexes of Schiff base-hydrazone ligands, hydroxy-N'-[(1Z)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide [H3L(1)] and ethyl 2-(4-(1-(2-(4-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethoxy)benzoyl)hydrazono)ethyl)phenoxy)acetate (HL(2)) have been synthesized and then characterized by microcopy and spectral studies. X-ray powder diffraction illustrates that [Cu(L(2))2] complex is crystalline in nature whereas [Cu(H2L(1))2]·2H2O has an amorphous structure. Binding of the copper complexes with Calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by UV-visible spectra, exhibiting non-covalent binding to CT-DNA. DNA cleavage experiments have been also investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of an oxidative agent (H2O2). The effect of complex concentration on the DNA cleavage reaction has been also studied. Both copper complexes show nuclease activity, which significantly depends on concentrations of the complexes, in the presence of H2O2 through oxidative mechanism whereas they slightly cleavage DNA in the absence an oxidative agent.