Mixed ligand complexes of Copper(II), Nickel(II) and Cobalt(II) derived from 1,10 phenanthroline and 8-hydroxyquinoline were synthesized. The structural features have been arrived from their elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, Uv-Vis, i.r. and 1 H NMR studies. The binding properties of Cu(II) complexes with herring sperm DNA was comprehensively investigated by electronic absorption titration, viscosity, electrochemistry and different effects such as hypochromism, blue shift were observed in the resulting DNA structure. The protectivity activity was investigated by gel electrophoresis. The investigated interaction showed clear evidence of changes in the DNA structure and suggest a predominant intercalation mode leading damage to the biomolecule. The synthesized complexes were tested for their antioxidant activities and the results reveal significant antioxidant activity.
