Synthesis, spectral properties and DNA binding and nuclease activity of lanthanide (III) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine benzhydrazone: X-ray crystal structure, Hirshfeld studies and nitrate-π interactions of cerium(III) complex

The lanthanide(III) complexes of general formula of [Ln(BPBH)2(NO3)3] (where, Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd and BPBH = 2-benzoylpyridine benzhydrazone) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, spectroscopic (UV, IR), electrochemical and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The coordination mode of the ligand and the geometry of [Ce(BPBH)2(NO3)3] are confirmed by single crystal X-ray studies. The crystals are monoclinic with C2/c crystallographic symmetry. The central metal is 12 coordinated and the coordination polyhedron around the cerium atom can be described as a distorted icosahedron. The existence of nitrate …π and CH …π stacking interactions in the [Ce(BPBH)2(NO3)3] leads to a supramolecular arrangement in its network. The binding properties of these complexes with calf-thymus DNA have been investigated by viscosity measurements. The complexes show more nuclease activity in the presences of H2O2.