A Trinuclear Copper(II) Complex of 2,4,6-Tris(di-2-pyridylamine)-1,3,5-triazine Shows Prominent DNA Cleavage Activity

A highly water soluble 3:2 complex of copper(II) and 2,4,6-tris(di-2-pyridylamine)-1,3,5-triazine (TDAT) has been
synthesized and structurally characterized. The complex crystallized in a triclinic P1 space group with a molecular
formula of [Cu3(TDAT)2Cl3]Cl3·2H2O (1), where each copper ion is coordinated by four pyridine nitrogen atoms and
an apical chloride. The trinuclear complex is stable at physiological relevant conditions. It can bind to DNA through
electrostatic attraction and cleave efficiently the supercoiled pBR322 DNA into its nicked and linear forms at micromolar
concentrations. Active oxygen intermediates such as hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen generated in the presence
of 1 may act as active species for the DNA scission.