Synthesis, spectroscopic investigations, antimicrobial and DNA binding studies of a new charge transfer complex of o-phenylenediamine with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid.

A charge transfer complex of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) as donor with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSH) as acceptor, was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The structural investigations exhibit that the cation and anion are joined together by strong N(+)H⋯O(-) type hydrogen bonds and stoichiometry of CT complex was found to be 1:1. The CT (charge transfer) complex shows remarkable interaction with Calf thymus DNA, and the CT complex was also screened for its microbial activity such as antimicrobial and antifungal activities. A molecular frame work through H-bonding interactions via n→π(*) transitions between neighboring moieties is found which is responsible for high melting point of resulting CT complex. This has been attributed to the formation of 1:1 CT complex.