Chemosensor for Selective Cu(II) Detection With Potential Anticancer Activity

ABSTRACT

Schiff bases 3(a–c) functionalized with 2‐hydrazinyl pyridine were synthesized and extensively analyzed using numerous spectral analysis methods, including ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized compound 3a was further investigated using x‐ray crystallography. UV–visible spectroscopy‐based photophysical studies demonstrated that chemosensor 3a exhibits outstanding sensitivity and selectivity toward Cu(II). The binding constant and the detection limit were ascertained by the Benesi–Hildebrand plot and the standard calibration curve, yielding values of 3.856 × 10 ⁸ M ⁻¹ and 133.26 nM, respectively. The probe 3a demonstrated significant anticancer activity, achieving a maximum reduction in cell viability of up to 46.78% compared to untreated control cells. Computational analysis of its anticancer potential through molecular docking studies revealed that compound 3a demonstrated a high interaction energy of −11.80 kcal/mol against the protein 5hu9. The strong binding affinity (−11.8 kcal/mol) indicates that the ligand may interact with Top1 in a manner similar to topotecan, potentially blocking DNA religation and thereby contributing to anticancer activity.