Synthesis,characterization and DNA interaction of the transition metal complexes with 2-formyl furan-derived aroylhydrazones

In the present work two new aroylhydrazones bearing furan ring 4-N′-[(Z)-furan-2-ylmethylidene]-4-hydroxybenzohydrazide (HL¹) and hydroxymethyl (4-{[(2Z)-2- (furan-2-ylmethylidene)hydrazinyl]carbonyl}phenoxy)acetate (HL²) and their Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. DNA binding and DNA cleavage activities of both aroylhydrazone ligands and their transition metal complexes were examined by using UV-vis titration and agarose gel electrophoresis in the presence of H₂O₂. The results indicate that all the copper complexes bind slightly to calf thymus DNA and effectively cleave pBR322 DNA whereas the nickel and zinc complexes have only slight interactions with DNA.