Interaction of palladium(II) coordination compounds with calf thymus DNA and their antibacterial activity

The palladium(II) complexes of the formulations [Pd(clpbpy)Cl2], [Pd(clcpbpy)Cl2], [Pd(brcpbpy)Cl2], [Pd(clmpbpy)Cl2] {clpbpy═4-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine (L1), clcpbpy═4,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (L2), brcpbpy═4-(4-bromophenyl)-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (L3) and clmpbpy═6-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-p-tolyl-2,2′-bipyridine (L4)} have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, electronic spectra, IR and mass spectra. The study on the interaction of the palladium complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been performed using absorption titration, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation techniques. The study suggests the intercalative mode of DNA binding. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrates the ability of the complexes to cleave the pUC19 DNA. The antibacterial activity of complexes has been screened against two Gram(+ ve) and three Gram(− ve) microorganisms.