Mononucleating nicotinohydazone complexes with VO2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ ions. Characteristic, catalytic, and biological assessments.

[Display omitted] • Mononuclear Ni-, Cu- and VO-complexes from aroylhydrazone were synthesized. • VO-catalyst has little more catalytic potential in 1,2-cyclooctene epoxidation. • Inhibiting biological action of all complexes was more than that of free ligand. • Their ct DNA-interaction was studied spectroscopically and by viscosity-measurements. • Molecular docking studies support the nature of ct DNA interactions. Three novel mononuclear complexes of Ni2+, Cu2+, and VO2+ ions (NiLnBu, CuLnBu, and VOLnBu, respectively) were synthesized by the chelation of a di-basic tridentate nicotinohydazone ligand (H 2 LnBu) with M2+ ions in 1 : 1 M ratios. The ligand and its M-pincer chelates were identified and characterized using various spectroscopic tools included NMR, IR, UV–Vis. and EI-Mass spectra, beside, EI elemental analyses, and thermogravimetric analyses. The catalytic potential of NiLnBu, CuLnBu, and VOLnBu was investigated in 1,2-cyclooctene epoxidation using H 2 O 2 , as an efficient oxidant. Various parameters, including solvent, temperature, catalyst loading, and oxidant were investigated to identify the optimized reaction conditions. The central metal ion in their M-chelate catalysts revealed variation in the catalytic performance. The high valent metal ion (V4+) catalyst (VOLnBu) exhibited slightly better catalytic potential (96% yield) over the low valent metal ions (Ni2+ and Cu2+) complex catalysts (NiLnBu 91% yield and CuLnBu 93% yield, respectively). In addition to, the biological potential of free ligand H 2 LnBu and its complexes were examined in the ct DNA interaction process via UV–Vis. spectroscopy and viscosity measurements with the aid of distinguished docking studies. The obtained results showed that M-chelates possess effective biological activities with DNA, including the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects against different biological targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]