Synthesis, characterization, and DNA damaging of bivalent metal complexes incorporating tetradentate dinitrogen-dioxygen ligand as potential biocidal agents

A new symmetrical tetradentate Schiff base was prepared by the condensation of 5-nitro-o-vanillin and diaminoethane. Its complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moment, molar conductance, UV-Vis, IR, H-1 NMR, ESI-mass, and EPR spectra. The DNA-binding behavior of these complexes was investigated by absorption spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and viscosity measurements. The DNA-binding constants for Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes were 1.58 x 10(4), 1.65 x 10(4), 2.71 x 10(4), and 1.83 x 10(4) (mol L-1)(-1), respectively. The results suggest that the complexes intercalate between DNA base pairs. Further, all these complexes exhibit moderate to high ability to cleave pUC19 DNA. The ligand and its complexes have been screened for antimicrobial activities using the disc diffusion method against selected bacteria and fungi. Antibacterial activity was greater against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria for Cu(II) complex and antifungal activity was greater against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans for the Cu(II) complex.