A V-shaped ligand bis(<i>N</i>-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl) benzylamine with its cobalt(II) complex: synthesis, crystal structure, DNA-binding properties, and antioxidant activity

Abstract

A V-shaped ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine (bmbb) and its cobalt complex, [Co(bmbb)2](pic)2 (pic = picrate), have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray revealed that the coordination sphere around Co(II) is distorted octahedral with an N6 ligand set from two tridentate bmbb. The DNA-binding properties of bmbb and the Co(II) complex were investigated by spectrophotometric and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that bmbb and Co(II) complex both bind to DNA via intercalation, and the Co(II) complex binds to DNA more strongly than bmbb. The Co(II) complex also exhibited potential antioxidant properties in vitro studies.