Pyridoxal–S-methyl-isothiosemicarbazone (PLITSC) is a member of an important group of ligands characterized by different complexation modes to various transition metals. In this contribution, a new complex containing two differently protonated PLITSC ligands ([Fe(PLITSC–H)(PLITSC)]SO₄)∙2.5H₂O was obtained. The crystal structure was solved by the X-ray analysis and used further for the optimization at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)(H,C,N,O,S)/def2-TZVP(Fe) level of theory. Changes in the interaction strength and bond distance due to protonation were observed upon examination by the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules. The protein binding affinity of [Fe(PLITSC–H)(PLITSC)]SO₄ towards transport proteins (Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Human Serum Albumin (HSA)) was investigated by the spectrofluorimetric titration and molecular docking. The interactions with the active pocket containing fluorescent amino acids were examined in detail, which explained the fluorescence quenching. The interactions between complex and DNA were followed by the ethidium-bromide displacement titration and molecular docking. The binding along the minor groove was the dominant process involving complex in the proximity of DNA.

New Cu(II) complexes with pyridoxal-aminoguanidine (PLAG) ligands and different counterions (SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻) were prepared and their crystal structures were solved by the X-ray crystallography. The geometries of the obtained complexes significantly depended on the counterions, leading to the square-pyramidal structure of [Cu(PLAG)NO₃H₂O]NO₃ (complex 1) and square-planar structure of [Cu(PLAG)H₂O]SO₄ (complex 2). The intermolecular interactions were examined using the Hirshfeld surface analysis. The theoretical structures of these complexes were obtained by optimization at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)(H,C,N,O,S)/LanL2DZ(Cu) level of theory. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) was applied to assess the strength and type of the intramolecular interactions and the overall stability of the structures. The interactions between the complexes and transport proteins (human serum albumin (HSA)) and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were examined by spectrofluorometric/spectrophotometric titration and molecular docking. The binding mechanism to DNA was assessed by potassium iodide quenching experiments. The importance of counterions for binding was shown by comparing the experimental and theoretical results and the examination of binding at the molecular level.

The pyridoxal-semicarbazone (PLSC) ligand and its transition metal complexes have shown significant biological activity. In this contribution, a novel nickel(II)-PLSC complex, [Ni(PLSC)(SO₄)(H₂O)₂], was obtained, and its structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, FTIR, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The sulfate ion is directly coordinated to the central metal ion. The intermolecular stabilization interactions were examined using Hirshfeld surface analysis. The crystal structure was optimized by a B3LYP functional using two pseudopotentials for nickel(II) (LanL2DZ and def2-TZVP) together with a 6-311++G(d,p) basis set for non-metallic atoms. The experimental and theoretical bond lengths and angles were compared, and the appropriate level of theory was determined. The stabilization interactions within the coordination sphere were investigated by the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). The antioxidant activity towards hydroxyl and ascorbyl radicals was measured by EPR spectroscopy. The interactions between Human Serum Albumin (HSA) and the complex were examined by spectrofluorimetric titration and a molecular docking study. The mechanism of binding to DNA was analyzed by complex fluorescence quenching, potassium iodide quenching, and ethidium bromide displacement studies in conjunction with molecular docking simulations.