A Treatise on Furan Cored Schiff Base Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(III) Complexes Accentuating Their Biological Efficacy: Synthesis, Thermal and Spectroscopic Characterization, DNA Interactions, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity Studies.

Three metal complexes [Cu(FMIMDIP)2 ] (1), [Ni(FMIMDIP)2 ] (2) and [Co(FMIMDIP)3 ] (3) where, FMIMDIP=(((furan-2-yl)methylimino)methyl)-4,6-diiodophenol, were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopy. The analytical data revealed a square planar geometry for 1 and 2 and an octahedral geometry for 3. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the thermal decomposition steps were calculated from the thermograms. The quantum chemical parameters have been calculated using HOMO-LUMO energies and reveal the stability of the complexes. The DNA interaction of 1-3 towards calf-thymus DNA was investigated by absorption titration, fluorescence spectroscopy and gel electrophoresis. All the complexes bind to DNA via intercalation mode with binding constant (Kb ) values of 4.17×103  M-1 to 5.9×104  M-1 and also effectively cleave pBR322 DNA by oxidative and photolytic techniques. The synergistic action of metal chelates with ascorbic acid induced the generation of free radicals. The antibacterial activity of 1-3 was tested against B. thuringiensis, S. pneumoniae, E. coli, and P. putida. Complex 3 has the best activity among all the complexes.