Nuclease activity of 2-substituted heteroaromatic thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone copper(II) complexes

Copper(II) Schiff base complexes derived from furan-2-carboxaldehyde, 2-fur ylmethyl ketone, thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and methyl-2-thienyl ketone wit h semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide have been prepared and characterized by analytical, i.r., electronic, e.s.r. and c.v. spectral data. The electro nic spectral d-d band position varies from 744-415 nm in pyridine and 872-3 71 nm in DMF. E.s.r. g(parallel to) values lie between 2.1439 and 2.3149 at LNT. All complexes undergo quasi-reversible one-electron electrochemical r eduction (Cu-III/Cu-II) in the 0.42-0.52 V potential range. The electron tr ansfer is much faster in thiosemicarbazone complexes compared to semicarbaz one complexes. All these copper(II) complexes showed increased nuclease act ivity in presence of oxidant.