Herein, we report the DNA interaction studies of rhenium(I) and -(V) compounds with Schiff base chelates encompassing biologically relevant moieties. More specifically, the DNA interaction capabilities of these rhenium complexes were probed using Gel Electrophoresis and Calf Thymus-DNA titrations monitored by temperature-controlled electronic spectroscopy. The DNA binding modes of the metal compounds were corroborated by molecular docking simulations. In addition, the synthesis and characterization of a novel facial tricarbonyl rhenium(I) compound, fac-[Re(chrs)(CO)3Br], (chrs = {3-{[(2-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-4H-chromen-4-one) are reported.
Keywords: DNA interaction; Schiff base; gel electrophoresis; molecular docking; rhenium.