Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA-binding properties, and antioxidant activity of a V-shaped ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine and its zinc(II) complex

A V-shaped ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine (L) and its zinc(II) complex, [ZnL 2](pic)2?.?2CH3CN (pic?=?picrate), have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the Zn(II) complex possesses a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Supramolecular interactions arising from various intra- or intermolecular p center dot center dot center dot p stacking interactions contributed to the form of the multidimensional configuration. Interactions of L and Zn(II) complex with DNA were monitored using spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that L and Zn(II) complex both bind to DNA via intercalation and Zn(II) complex binds to DNA more strongly than L. Moreover, the Zn(II) complex also exhibited potential antioxidant properties in vitro.