Synthesis, characterization and DNA binding studies of organoantimony(V) ferrocenyl benzoates

Organoantimony(V) ferrocenyl benzoates (OFBs) [p-(C5H5FeC5H4)C6H4COO](2)SbR3 (R = C6H5, p-CH3C6H4) (3, 4) and [m-(C5H5FeC5H4)C6H4COO](2)SbR3 (R - p-CH3C6H4) (5) were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, H-1 and C-13 NMR, single crystal XRD and elemental analysis. The DNA interaction of the complexes (3-5) was investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The complex-DNA binding constant was found to vary in the sequence: K-2 (4.80 x 10(5)) > K-1 (2.36 x 10(4)) > K-3 (1.87 x 10(4)) > K-4 (6.61 x 10(3)) > K-5 (6.58 x 10(3)). The shift in peak potential, current and absorption maxima of OFBs in the presence of DNA revealed that CV coupled with UV-Vis spectroscopy could provide a convenient way to characterize complex-DNA interaction mechanism, a prerequisite for the design of new anticancer agents and understanding the molecular basis of their action. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.