Synthesis, Characterization, ElectrochemicalBehaviour, DNA Binding and Cleavage Studies of Substituted β-DiketimineCopper(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes

Several novel copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized from Schiff base(s) obtained by the condensation of Knoevenagel condensate, 3-(3-phenyl-allylidene)-pentane-2,4-dione with p-substituted (X) aniline where X = –NO2 (L1), –H (L2), –OH (L3) and –OCH3 (L4)] and, copper(II) chloride/zinc(II) chloride. They have been characterized by analytical and spectral techniques. Electronic absorption and electrochemicalmeasurements prove that the complexes intercalate into DNA. Control DNA cleavage experiments using pUC19 supercoiled (SC) DNA and minor groove binder (distamycin) suggest the minor groove binding tendency for the synthesized complexes