The newly synthesized ligand, dihydro bis(salicylidene)
2,2′ aminobenzothiazolyl borate (2), was derived from the reaction
of Schiff base of 2-aminobenzothiazole and salicylaldehyde with
KBH4. (3) and (4) complexes of
(2) were synthesized and further metallated with
dimethyltindichloride to yield heterobimetallic complexes (5) and
(6). All complexes have been thoroughly characterized by
elemental analysis, and IR, NMR, EPR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy
and conductance measurements. The spectroscopic data support
square planar environment around the atom, while the
atom acquires pentacoordinate geometry. The
interaction of complex (5) with guanine, adenine, and calf thymus
DNA was studied by spectrophotometric, electrochemical, and kinetic
methods. The absorption spectra of complex (5) exhibit a
remarkable “hyperchromic effect” in the presence of guanine and calf
thymus DNA. Indicative of strong binding of the complex to calf
thymus DNA preferentially binds through position of
guanine base, while the adenine shows binding to a lesser extent.
The kinetic data were obtained from the rate constants, kobs,
values under pseudo-first-order conditions. Cyclic voltammetry was
employed to study the interaction of complex (5) with guanine,
adenine, and calf thymus DNA. The CV of complex (5) in the
absence and in the presence of guanine and calf thymus DNA altered
drastically, with a positive shift in formal peak potential
Epa and Epc values and a significant increase in peak
current. The positive shift in formal potentials with increase in
peak current favours strong interaction of complex (5) with calf
thymus DNA. The net shift in E
1/2 has been used to estimate
the ratio of equilibrium constants for the binding of
and complexes to calf thymus DNA.