Synthesis, characterization and effects on biochemical parameters of model organism Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) of Cu(II) 4-cyanobenzoate with 4-cyanopyridine complex

The structure of the title complex, C56H32Cu2N12O8, was characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. In addition, the effects of the newly synthesized complex on metabolic, antioxidant and biochemical parameters of Galleria mellonella larvae were investigated. In the title dinuclear Cu-II complex, [Cu-2(C6H4N2)(4)(C8H4NO2)(4)], the metal atom is chelated by one carboxylate group from 4-cyanobenzoate (CYNB) anion and coordinated by two 4-cyanopyridine (CYNP) anions; two carboxylate O atoms from the two CYNB anions bridge to the Cu atom, completing the six-coordination geometry. The two axial locations of the two 4-cyanopyridine (CYNP) N atoms complete the distorted octahedral coordination, which is formed by the four carboxylate O atoms in the equatorial plane around the Cu-II atom. In the crystal, the weak C-H center dot N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a network architecture, in which they may be effective in the stabilization of the structure. A weak C-H pi interaction also further consolidates the crystal packing. According to the Hirshfeld surface study of the crystal structure, the interactions between H N/N H (31.8%), H H (21.3%), H C/C H (18.2%) and C C (11.1%) are the most significant ones for the crystal packing. The two main types of interactions in crystal packing are hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. In this study, metabolic enzyme activities and amount of non-enzymatic antioxidants were increased in hemolymph of G. mellonella larvae exposed to newly synthesized complex. The results of this study showed that newly synthesized complex could be a potential chemical against pests.