Copper(I) halide complexes of N-methylbenzothiazole-2-thione: Synthesis, structure, luminescence, antibacterial activity and interaction with DNA

The reactions of copper(I) halides, CuX (X=Cl, Br, I) with N-methylbenzothiazole-2-thione (mbtt), independent of the molar ration chosen (1:2 or 1:3), led to the formation of dinuclear complexes of the formula [CuX(mbtt)2]2, whereas the reactions of CuX and mbtt in the presence of two equivalents of triphenylphosphine (PPh3) afforded mononuclear mixed-ligand complexes of the formula [CuX(PPh3)2(mbtt)]. The molecular structure of a representative compound from each of the two above types of complexes, namely [CuCl(mbtt)2]2 and [CuI(PPh3)2(mbtt)] have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The new complexes are strongly emissive both in the solid state and in solution. The complexes were also screened for antibacterial activity and their ability to interact with native calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) in vitro. Both types of complexes showed significant activities against all the bacteria tested as compared to that of standard antibiotic ampicillin, however, the three mixed-ligand complexes including triphenylphosphane as ligand exhibited perceptibly stronger antibacterial activity than the three homoleptic ones possessing only the mbtt ligand. DNA electrophoretic mobility experiments showed that all complexes bind to CT-ds DNA resulting in high molecular weight complexes ending in DNA degradation. N-methylbenzothiazole-2-thione as ligand in new dinuclear and mononuclear copper(I) halide complexes of composition [CuX(mbtt)2]2 and [CuX(mbtt)(PPh3)2] respectively, with remarkably high antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. [Display omitted] ► New copper(I) halide complexes containing N-methylbenzothiazole-2-thione as ligand. ► Intense room temperature luminescence both in the solid state and in solution. ► Remarcable antimicrobal activity against several microorganisms.