Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
DNA binding and gel electrophoresis studies of a copper (II) complex containing mixed aliphatic and aromatic
Nahid Shahabadi1, Farivash Darabi, Maryam Maghsudi
1Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. nahidshahabadi@yahoo.com
Abstract:
The interaction of a novel mixed ligand copper (II) complex, [Cu(N-N)(L)(EtOH)](NO(3))(2) . 2H(2)O, in which N-N indicates 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and L indicates N,N-dimethyltrimethylenediamine with calf thymus DNA was investigated by absorption, circular dichroism, voltammetric, and viscosimetric techniques. The absorption spectra of the complex with calf thymus DNA showed a marked hypochromism in the pi --> pi* and metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions, with no obvious red shift attributed to a partial intercalation. The intrinsic binding constant (K(b)) was determined as 2 x 10(5) M(-1). There was slight to appreciable changes in the relative viscosity of DNA, which is consistent with enhanced hydrophobic interaction of the methyl-substituted phen ring and partial intercalation mode of binding. Electrochemical studies showed a decrease in the peak current, which is ascribed to the strong binding between Cu (II) complex and DNA. The fluorescence spectral characteristics showed that the Cu (II) complex is able to displace the methylene blue bound to DNA, but not as complete as intercalative molecules. It is remarkable that this mixed ligand complex, in contrast to [Cu(2,9-dmp)(2)](+) (2,9-dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), which fails to cleave DNA, has ability to cleave the supercoiled plasmid DNA.
Related Concept Videos
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Ladder Diagrams: Complexation Equilibria
The formation constant, K1, for the formation of Cd(NH3)2+ complex from cadmium and ammonia is 3.55 × 102. Log K1 (i.e. pNH3) is 2.55, and...
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
Valence Bond Theory
Complexometric Titration: Ligands
Coordination Number and Geometry

