Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA-binding properties and antioxidant activities of a lutetium(III) complex with the bis(N-salicylidene)-3-oxapentane- 1,5-diamine ligand

A Schiff base ligand bis(N-salicylidene)-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamine (H 2L) and its lutetium(III) complex, with composition Lu 2(L)2 (NO3)2, were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structure of the Lu(III) complex has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It reveals a centrosymmetric binuclear neutral entity where Lu(III) metal centers are bridged by two phenoxo oxygen atoms. The DNA-binding properties of the Lu(III) complex were investigated by spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements, and the results suggest that the Lu(III) complex binds to DNA via a groove binding mode. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the Lu(III) complex was determined by the superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging methods in vitro, which indicate that it is a scavenger for OH and O2- radicals. © 2013 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung, Tübingen.