Nuclease Activity via Self-Activation and Anticancer Activity of a Mononuclear Copper(II) Complex: Novel Role of the Tertiary Butyl Group in the Ligand Frame

The copper complex [Cu­(tBuPhimp)­(Cl)] (1) derived from tridentate ligand tBuPhimpH having N2O donors was synthesized, and its molecular structure was determined. A phenoxyl radical complex was generated in solution at room temperature using Ce­(IV). The nuclease and anticancer activities of 1 were investigated. The roles of the tert-butyl group and singlet oxygen in the DNA cleavage activity were also discussed.由含N₂O供体的三齿配体tBuPhimpH衍生得到的铜配合物[Cu(tBuPhimp)(Cl)] (1)已成功合成，并对其分子结构进行了测定。利用四价铈（Ce(IV)）于室温溶液中制备得到苯氧自由基配合物。研究了配合物1的核酸酶活性与抗癌活性，同时探讨了叔丁基与单线态氧在其DNA切割活性中所发挥的作用。