Synthesis, Crystal Structure, DNA Binding, Cleavage and Docking Studies of a Novel Dinuclear Schiff‐Base Copper(II) Complex

Abstract

Abstract A dinuclear copper(II) complex ( 1 ) of a Schiff‐base ligand L [2‐(( Z )‐(3‐((3‐(( Z )‐2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)propyl)(pyridin‐4‐yl)amino)propylimino)methyl)phenol] was synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 has a [2+2] ring structure formed by two ligands and two central atoms, and each central metal atom lies in a distorted tetrahedral environment. The in vitro DNA binding studies of 1 with calf thymus‐DNA were carried out by UV/Vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic methods, competitive groove‐binding test, and molecular docking. Complex 1 efficiently cleaved supercoiled pUC19 DNA. As evidenced by the consistent experimental and theoretical outcomes, the copper(II) complex interacted with DNA by both partial intercalation and minor‐groove binding.