Infrared and DNA-binding on ultraviolet and fluorescence spectra of new copper and zinc complexes with a naringenin Schiff-base ligand.

A naringenin Schiff-base ligand (H(3)L) and its copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, (1)H NMR, IR spectra, UV spectra and thermal analyses. The DNA-binding properties of the Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy and by viscosity measurements. The results indicate that complexes and ligand may bind to DNA by intercalation modes, but the binding affinity of the complexes is much higher than that of the ligand.