In this article, synthesis of the novel zinc(II) complex [Zn(tren)(i-mnt)] from diethylenetriamine (tren) and 1,1-dicyano-2,2-ethylenedithiolate di-potassium salt (K2i-mnt) has been presented and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The trigonal bipyramidal geometry of [Zn(tren)(i-mnt)] in solid state has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis where stacked assembly of parallel chains interlinked by N–H⋯S, N–H⋯N, and C–H⋯N type hydrogen bonds observed in 3D supramolecular packing. Hirshfeld Surface (HS) optimizations show prominent N⋯H/H⋯N (32%), S⋯H/H⋯S (21%), and C⋯H/H⋯C (18.5%) interactions that well corroborate with X-ray data. Moreover, Density Functional Theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31 g(d) and LMKLL/DZDP basis sets have been used to ascertain geometry and long-range interactions in the complex. In addition, DNA-binding analysis has been assessed by inspecting its binding capability to calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) and cytotoxic effects of the complex, and K2i-mnt were investigated against Dalton's Lymphoma (DL) malignant cancer cells to assess their anticancer activity. The molecular docking study shows that the complex has a better binding affinity for 3DK8 (Protein Data Bank ID), leading to a higher inhibition constant and interactions.

With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2023-001263-S).

Peer reviewed