Crystal structure of two new polymeric copper(II) complexes active against Trypanosoma cruzi

[Display omitted] •The characterization of two new polymeric copper(II) complexes bearing 2-chlorobenzhydrazide is reported for first time.•A copper(II) complex has been more active than benznidazole, a drug used in the treatment of Chagas disease.•A complex exhibited a good selectivity index. We report here the characterization of two new polymeric copper(II) complexes containing 2-chlorobenzhydrazide (2-CH) and two N,N-donor ligands, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 4-4′-dimethoxy-2-2′-bipyridine (dmb). The structure of a new polymeric copper(II) complex in which a perchlorate anion acts as a bridge ligand is discussed in detail. In both complexes, spectral data reveals a bidentate coordination mode for hydrazide, perchlorate and N,N-donor ligand. These metal complexes and their free ligands were evaluated for their trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities and the complex with 1,10-phenanthroline has been much more active than benznidazole, a drug used in the treatment of Chagas disease.