Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and DNA-Binding Properties of a New Cd(II) Complex Involving 2-(2-1H-Imidazolyl)-1H-Imdazolium Ligand

A new Cd(II) complex of Cd(H(3)biim)(2)(NCS)(2)Cl-2 [H(3)biim=2-(2-1H-imidazolyl)-1H-imidazolium] was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and X-ray single crystal diffraction. In the X-ray crystallography structure, the cadmium(II) ion is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms of two 2-(2-1H-imidazolyl)-1H-imdazolium, two nitrogen atoms of two thiocyanate ions and two Cl-. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA was investigated through electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, cyclic voltammetry and gel electrophoresis. These results show that the Cd(II) complex can electrostatically bind to the phosphate group of DNA backbone. Interestingly, we found that the complex can cleave the pBR322 DNA at pH=7.2 and 37 degrees C.