Synthesis and DNA binding studies of Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal complexes of N1,N5-bis[pyridine-2-methylene]-thiocarbohydrazone Schiff-base ligand

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Antibacterial and In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Novel Macroacyclic Schiff Bases and Their Cu (II) Complexes Derived from S-Methyl and S-Benzyl Dithiocarbazate

A series of novel macroacyclic Schiff base ligands and their Cu (II) complexes were synthesised via reacting dicarbonyls of varying chain lengths with S-methyl dithiocarbazate (SMDTC) and S-benzyl dithiocarbazate (SBDTC) followed by coordination with Cu (II) ions. X-ray crystal structures were obtained for compound 4, an SBDTC-diacetyl analogue, and Cu7, an SMDTC-hexanedione Cu (II) complex. Anticancer evaluation of the compounds showed that Cu1, an SMDTC-glyoxal complex, demonstrated the highest cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 1.7 µM and 1.4 µM, respectively. There was no clear pattern observed between the effect of chain length and cytotoxic activity; however, SMDTC-derived analogues were more active than SBDTC-derived analogues against MDA-MB-231 cells. The antibacterial assay showed that K. rhizophila was the most susceptible bacteria to the compounds, followed by S. aureus. Compound 4 and the SMDTC-derived analogues 3, 5, Cu7 and Cu9 possessed the highest antibacterial activity. These active analogues were further assessed, whereby 3 possessed the highest antibacterial activity with an MIC of <24.4 µg/mL against K. rhizophila and S. aureus. Further antibacterial studies showed that at least compounds 4 and 5 were bactericidal. Thus, Cu1 and 3 were the most promising anticancer and antibacterial agents, respectively.

Improved Analytical Performance of an Amphiphilic Probe upon Protein Encapsulation: Spectroscopic Investigation along with Computational Rationalization

An easily synthesizable pyrene-based amphiphilic probe (Pybpa) has been developed, which exhibited no responses with metal ions in the pure aqueous medium despite possessing a metal ion-chelating bispicolyl unit. We believe that spontaneous aggregation of Pybpa in aqueous medium makes the ion binding unit not accessible to the metal ions. However, the sensitivity and selectivity of Pybpa toward Zn²⁺ ions drastically improve in the presence of serum albumin protein, HSA. The differences in the microenvironment inside the protein cavity, in terms of local polarity, and conformational rigidity might be attributing factors for that. The mechanistic investigations also suggest that there might be the involvement of polar amino acid residues that take part in coordination with Zn²⁺ ions. Pybpa shows no detectable spectroscopic changes with Zn²⁺ ions in aqueous medium in the absence of HSA. However, it can effectively recognize Zn²⁺ ions in the protein-bound form. Moreover, the photophysical behavior of Pybpa and its zinc complex have been investigated with DFT and docking studies. Noteworthy, such an unusual sensing aspect of Zn²⁺ exclusively in the protein-bound state and particularly in aqueous medium is truly rare and innovative.

Differential response for multiple ions: a smart probe to construct optically tunable molecular logic systems

A rhodamine-based optical probe has been designed through a one-pot synthetic protocol involving phenanthroline as a binding motif. The compound showed a bright pink coloration specifically upon the addition of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions. However, the appearance of bright red fluorescence was observed only in the presence of Hg²⁺. Considering both, we can detect and discriminate these two ions even at ppb level concentration. Furthermore, these in situ generated metal complexes were utilized for the selective recognition of CN^- and I^- ions. Pre-coated TLC plates were developed for rapid on-site detection of these toxic ions even in remote places. Finally, on a single molecular probe based on differential opto-chemical interactions with different ions (Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, CN^- and I^-), we were able to design numerous trivial (OR, NOR) and non-trivial (INHIBIT, IMPLICATION, COMPLEMENT, TRANSFER, NOT-TRANSFER) logic gates. Most fascinatingly, we can switch the logic response from one type to another by simply tuning only the optical output channel.

Novel Bromo and methoxy substituted Schiff base complexes of Mn(II), Fe(III), and Cr(III) for anticancer, antimicrobial, docking, and ADMET studies

In this study, four new Mn(II), Fe(III), and Cr(III) complexes with two Schiff base ligands namely, 4-bromo-2-[(E)-{[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl]imino}methyl]phenol (HL1) and 2-[(E)-{[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl]imino}methyl]-4-methoxy phenol (HL2) have been synthesized and characterized. Different analytical and spectral methods have been used to characterize the ligands and their complexes. General formulas of [M(L)Cl₂(H₂O)₂] for FeL1, CrL1 and CrL2, and [M(L)Cl(H₂O)₃] for MnL2 were proposed. HOMO and LUMO energies, as well as the electrical characteristics, have been calculated using DFT/B3LYP calculations with Gaussian 09 program. The optimized lowest energy configurations of the complexes are proven. The disc diffusion technique was used to test the pharmacological activities' antibacterial efficacy against diverse bacterial and fungus species. The MTT technique was used to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of the ligands and their metal complexes on the Hep-G2 human liver carcinoma cell line and the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. All compounds displayed better activity compared to the free ligands. MnL2 complex showed predominant activity when compared to the other complexes with an IC₅₀ value of 2.6 ± 0.11 μg/ml against Hep-G2, and against MCF-7 the IC₅₀ value was 3.0 ± 0.2 μg/ml which is less than the standard drug cisplatin (4.0 μg/ml). UV-vis electronic spectrum and gel electrophoresis techniques have been used to investigate the compounds' affinity to bind and cleavage CT-DNA. The interaction's binding constants, or Kb, have been identified, and it was discovered that the new complexes' binding affinities are in the order of FeL1 > MnL2 > CrL2 > CrL1, and the binding mechanism has been suggested. To assess the kind of binding and binding affinity of the investigated drugs with human DNA, a molecular docking study was carried out (PDB:1bna). The acquired results supported the intercalation binding mechanism proposed in the experimental part and revealed that complexes may be inserted into the DNA molecule to stop DNA replication. According to ADMET data, the synthesized compounds have a high bioavailability profile and their physicochemical and pharmacological features remained within Lipinski's RO5 predicted limitations.

Design and Synthesis of Xanthone Analogues Conjugated with Aza-aromatic Substituents as Promising G-Quadruplex Stabilizing Ligands and their Selective Cancer Cell Cytotoxic Action

We have examined the stabilization of higher-order noncanonical G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures formed by the G-rich sequences in the promoter region of oncogenes such as c-MYC, c-KIT, VEGF and BCl2 by newly synthesized, novel nitrogen-containing aromatics conjugated to xanthone moiety. Compounds with N-heterocyclic substituents such as pyridine (XNiso), benzimidazole (XBIm), quinoxaline (XQX) and fluorophore dansyl (XDan) showed greater effectiveness in stabilizing the G4 DNA as well as selective cytotoxicity for cancer cells (mainly A549) over normal cells both in terms of UV-Vis spectral titrations and cytotoxicity assay. Both fluorescence spectral titrimetric measurements and circular dichroism (CD) melting experiments further substantiated the G4 stabilization phenomenon by these small-molecular ligands. In addition, these compounds could induce the formation of parallel G4 structures in the absence of any added salt condition in Tris⋅HCl buffer at 25 °C. In a polymerase stop assay, the formation of stable G4 structures in the promoter of oncogenes and halting of DNA synthesis in the presence of the above-mentioned compounds was demonstrated by using oncogene promoter as the DNA synthesis template. Apoptosis-mediated cell death of the cancer cells was proved by Annexin V-PI dual staining assay and cell-cycle arrest occurred in the S phase of the cell cycles. The plausible mode of binding involves the stacking of the xanthone core on the G4 DNA plane with the possibility of interaction with the 5'-overhang as indicated by molecular dynamics simulation studies.

Synthesis, characterization, in vitro, in silico and in vivo investigations and biological assessment of Knoevenagel condensate β-diketone Schiff base transition metal complexes

A novel Schiff base ligand was synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation of β-diketone (obtained from substituted Curcumin and Cuminaldehyde) and 4-amino antipyrine. Metal complexes were made from this Schiff base by reacting with metal salts such as Cu(II), Ni(II), Ru(III), VO(IV), and Ce(IV). Physicochemical approaches such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, NMR, EPR, and Mass spectroscopy were used to determine the geometry of the complexes. The thermodynamic stability and biological accessibility of the complexes were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. A molecular docking analysis was also performed on 1BNA receptor. Both the Schiff base ligand and metal complexes interacted well to this protein receptor. All metal complexes have a significant potential to bind to CT DNA via the intercalation mechanism. All the in vivo and in vitro screening studies showed that the complexes exhibit higher activities than the free Schiff base.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A color reaction for the determination of Cu2+ in distilled beverages employing digital imaging

In this work, we describe for the first time the synthesis of a thiocarbazone for the selective determination of Cu²⁺ in distilled beverages. The method was based on the complexation reaction of Cu²⁺ with the thiocarbazone, and the colored product was analyzed using a smartphone application. The thiocarbazone reacts with Cu²⁺ to form a 1:1 (metal:ligand) complex. The Cu²⁺ complex was characterized by UV, IR and NMR spectral analyses. The proposed reaction yields a yellow color, and therefore, channel B of the RGB system was used in the analysis. After optimizing the reaction conditions, an analytical curve was obtained to determine Cu²⁺ concentrations ranging between 0.25 and 6.75 mg L^-1; the use of 400 μL sample volumes led to a relative standard deviation (n = 5) of 3.2% and a detection limit of 0.18 mg L^-1. Recovery experiments were performed with sugar cane spirits, whiskies and tequilas to evaluate the accuracy of the method, and the recovery obtained ranged from 80.5 to 112.2%.

Microanalysis based on paper device functionalized with cuprizone to determine Cu2+ in sugar cane spirits using a smartphone

In this work we propose for the first time, a paper-based test strip to analyse Cu²⁺ content in sugar cane spirits, which, due to its simplicity, high portability and fast analytical response (3 min), can be easily applied to in situ analyses by producers. The test strip was developed aiming: i) identify qualitatively the Cu²⁺ content in sugar cane spirits, and, ii) determine quantitatively the Cu²⁺ content using a digital image method employing a smartphone. The paper-based test strip was functionalized with cuprizone and optimized through a Box-Behnken, an experimental design for obtaining the best reaction conditions. Based on qualitative method with naked eyes approach performed by six volunteers analyst untrained, the method present a percentage of accuracy of 93%. For the quantitative analysis, it was determined the metal content at a level of statistical agreement with the reference method, as well as it was obtained the dynamic linear range from 2 to 13 mg L^-1 with limits of detection and quantification of 0.034 and 0.103 mg L^-1, respectively. Furthermore, the quantitative method showed a reliable precision with an RSD of 4.3% (n = 10) and the recovery of Cu²⁺ ranged from 80 to 103.8%.

Nickel and zinc complexes of testosterone N4-substituted thiosemicarbazone: Selective cytotoxicity towards human colorectal carcinoma cell line HCT 116 and their cell death mechanisms

Two new Schiff base ligands (TE and TF) were prepared from conjugation of testosterone with 4-(4-ethylphenyl)-3-thiosemicarbazide and 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-thiosemicarbazide, respectively. Their nickel (NE and NF) and zinc (ZE and ZF) complexes were reported. X-ray crystallography revealed a distorted square planar geometry was adopted by NE. The compounds demonstrated excellent selectivity towards the colorectal carcinoma cell line HCT 116 despite their weak preferences towards the prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3 and LNCaP). Against HCT 116, all these compounds were able to arrest cell cycle at G₀/G₁ phase and induce apoptosis via mitochondria-dependent (TE, NE, and TF) and extrinsic apoptotic pathway (ZE, NF, and ZF). Moreover, only ZE was able to act as topoisomease I poison and halt its enzymatic reactions although all compounds presented excellent affinity towards DNA.

Biological Applications of Thiocarbohydrazones and Their Metal Complexes: A Perspective Review

Although organic compounds account for more than 99% of currently approved clinical drugs, the established clinical use of cisplatin in cancer or auranofin in rheumatoid arthritis have paved the way to several research initiatives to identify metal-based drugs for a wide range of human diseases. Nitrogen and sulfur donor ligands, characterized by different binding motifs, have been the subject in recent years of one of the main research areas in coordination chemistry. Among the nitrogen/sulfur compounds, very little is known about thiocarbohydrazones (TCH), the higher homologues of the well-known thiosemicarbazones (TSC), and their metal complexes. The extra hydrazine moiety provides the ligands of variable metal binding modes, structural diversity and promising biological implications. The interesting coordination chemistry of TCH has mainly been focused on symmetric derivatives, which are relatively simple to synthesize while few examples of asymmetric ligands have been reported. This informative review on TCHs and their metal complexes will be helpful for improving the design of metal-based pharmaceuticals for applications ranging from anticancer to antinfective therapy.

Docking studies on an N4-donor Schiff base ligand and its Cu(II) complex supported by structural, spectral and theoretical studies

A new asymmetrical Schiff base ligand, N1-(3-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)propyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, and its copper(II) complex, [Cu(PPEA)Br]Br·H2O (1), have been prepared. The copper complex has an elongated square pyramidal geometry with a CuN4Br environment. The thermodynamic stability of the compounds and their charge distribution patterns were studied by Density Functional Theory and natural bond orbital analysis. The ability of the ligand and its copper complex to interact with 10 selected biomacromolecules (BRAF kinase, CatB, DNA gyrase, HDAC7, rHA, RNR, TrxR, TS, Top II and B-DNA) was investigated by docking studies and compared with that of doxorubicin.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel benzimidazole derivatives

In search of achieving less toxic and more potent chemotherapeutics, three novel heterocyclic benzimidazole derivatives: 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-4-chlorophenol (BM1), 4-chloro-2-(6-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol (BM2) and 4-chloro-2-(6-nitro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol (BM3) with DNA-targeting properties, were synthesized and fully characterized by important physicochemical techniques. The DNA binding properties of the compounds were investigated by UV-Visible absorption titrations and thermal denaturation experiments. These molecules exhibited a good binding propensity to fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA), as evident from the high binding constants (K_b) values: 1.9 × 10⁵, 1.39 × 10⁵ and 1.8 × 10⁴ M^‒1 for BM1, BM2 and BM3, respectively. Thermal melting studies of DNA further validated the absorption titration results and best interaction was manifested by BM1 with ΔT_m = 4.96 °C. The experimental DNA binding results were further validated theoretically by molecular docking study. It was confirmed that the molecules (BM1-BM3) bind to DNA via an intercalative and groove binding mode. The investigations showed a correlation between binding constants and energies obtained experimentally and through molecular docking, indicating a binding preference of benzimidazole derivatives with the minor groove of DNA. BM1 was the preferential candidate for DNA binding because of its flat structure, π-π interactions and less steric hindrance. To complement the DNA interaction, antimicrobial assays (antibacterial & antifungal) were performed. It was observed that compound BM2 showed promising activity against all bacterial strains (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli) and fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani), while rest of the compounds were active against selective strains. The MIC values of BM2 were found to be in the range of 12.5 ± 2.2-25 ± 1.5 µg/mL. Thus, the compound BM2 was found to be the effective DNA binding antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the preliminary cytotoxic properties of synthesized compounds were evaluated by brine shrimps lethality assay to check their nontoxic nature towards healthy normal cells.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

New Platinum(IV) and Palladium(II) Transition Metal Complexes of s-Triazine Derivative: Synthesis, Spectral, and Anticancer Agents Studies

New Pd(II) and Pt(IV) triazine complexes [Pt₃(L¹)₂(Cl)₉(H₂O)₃].3Cl.3H₂O (1), [Pt₃(L²)₂(Cl)₉(H₂O)₃].3Cl (2), [Pt₃(L³)₂(Cl)₉(H₂O)₃].3Cl (3), [Pt₂(L⁴)₂(Cl)₆(H₂O)₂] .2Cl.4H₂O (4), [Pd₃(L¹)₂(H₂O)₆] .3Cl₂ (5), [Pd₃(L²)₂(H₂O)₆].3Cl₂ (6), [Pd₃(L³)₂(H₂O)₆].3Cl₂ (7), and [Pd₂(L⁴)₂(H₂O)₄].2Cl₂ (8) were synthesized and well characterized using elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, UV-Vis, magnetic susceptibility, ¹H, ¹³C-NMR spectra, and thermal analyses. These analyses deduced that the L¹, L², and L³ ligands act as tridentate forming octahedral geometry with Pt(IV) metal ions and square planar geometry in case of Pd(II) complexes but the L⁴ ligand acts as bidentate chelate. The molar conductance values refer to the fact that all the prepared s-triazine complexes have electrolyte properties which are investigated in DMSO solvent. Surface morphology behaviors of prepared complexes have been scanned using TEM. The crystalline behavior of triazine complexes has been checked based on X-ray powder diffraction patterns. The antimicrobial activity of the free ligands and their platinum(IV) and palladium(II) complexes against the species Staphylococcus aureus (G+), Escherichia coli (G−), Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans has been carried out and compared with the standard one. The coordination of ligands towards metal ions makes them stronger bacteriostatic agents, thus inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi more than the free ligands. The cytotoxic assessment IC₅₀ of the free ligands and its platinum(IV) complexes in vitro against human colon and lung cancer cell lines introduced a promising efficiency.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surfaces analysis of the nickel(II) complex of the Shiff base ligand 6,6'-{(1E,1'E)-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(aza-nylyl-idene)]bis-(methanylyl-idene)}bis-[2-(tri-fluoro-meth-oxy)phenol]

In the title complex, the nickel(II) ion has a square-planar coordination sphere, being ligated by two N and two O atoms of the tetra­dentate Schiff base ligand 6,6′-{(1E,1′E)-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(aza­nylyl­idene]bis­(methanylyl­idene)}bis­[2-(tri­fluoro­meth­oxy)phenol].

In the title complex, (6,6′-{(1E,1′E)-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(aza­nylyl­idene)]bis(methanylyl­idene)}bis­[2-(tri­fluoro­meth­oxy)phenol]-κ⁴O,N,N′,O′)nickel(II), [Ni(C₁₈H₁₂F₆N₂O₄)], the nickel(II) ion has a square-planar coordination sphere, being ligated by two N and two O atoms of the Schiff base ligand 6,6′-{(1E,1′E)-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(aza­nylyl­idene)]bis­(methanylyl­idene)}bis­[2-(tri­fluoro­meth­oxy)phenol] (L). Inversion-related mol­ecules are linked by a short Ni⋯Ni inter­action of 3.2945 (6) Å forming a dimer. In the crystal, the dimers stack up the a axis, with a closest Ni⋯Ni separation of ca 3.791 Å. There are no other significant inter­molecular inter­actions present. However, the Hirshfeld surface analysis and the two-dimensional fingerprint plots indicate that the packing is dominated by H⋯F/F⋯H, H⋯H, O⋯H/H⋯O and C⋯H/H⋯C contacts.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and frontier molecular orbital analysis of (E)-4-bromo-N′-(2,3-dichlorobenzylidene)benzohydrazide

The title Schiff base compound, has an E configuration with respect to the C=N bond, and the benzene rings are inclined to each other by 15.7 (2)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [001] which enclose (6) loops.

The title Schiff base compound, C₁₄H₉BrCl₂N₂O, displays a trans or E configuration with respect to the C=N bond, with a dihedral angle 15.7 (2)° formed between the benzene rings. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [001] which enclose R¹₂(6) loops. The inter­molecular inter­actions were investigated by Hirshfeld surfaces analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots. The DFT-B3LYP/6–311 G++(d,p) method was used to determine the HOMO–LUMO energy levels.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and HOMO-LUMO analysis of (E)-4-bromo-N'-(4-meth-oxy-benzyl-idene)benzohydrazide

The title Schiff base compound, C15H13BrN2O2, displays an E configuration with respect to the C=N double bond, which forms a dihedral angle of 58.06 (9)° with the benzene ring. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are linked into chains parallel to the b axis by N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, giving rise to rings with an R 2 1(6) graph-set motif. The chains are further linked into a three-dimensional network by C-H⋯π inter-actions. A Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from C⋯H (33.2%), H⋯H (27.7%), Br⋯H/H⋯Br (14.2%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (13.6%) inter-actions. The title compound has also been characterized by frontier mol-ecular orbital analysis.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of anticancer activities of an acyclic and symmetrical compartmental Schiff base ligand and its Co(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes

A compartmental Schiff base ligand, 2,2′-((((((2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(2,1-phenylene))bis(methylene))bis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(4-bromophenol) (H₃L^Br) and its complexes with cobalt(ii), copper(ii) and zinc(ii) including, [Co(HL^Br)] (1), [Cu₂(L^Br)(μ-1,3-OAc)]·MeOH (2) and [Zn(HL^Br)] (3) were prepared using template synthesis and characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the structure of complexes 1 and 3 the metal atom has a MN₂O₂ environment with tetrahedral geometry while complex 2 has a binuclear structure with a MNO₄ environment and square planar geometry around the copper atom. The ability of all compounds to interact with the nine biomacromolecules (BRAF kinase, CatB, DNA gyrase, HDAC7, rHA, RNR, TrxR, TS and Top II) are investigated by docking calculations. For examination of the docking results, the in vitro activities of eight compounds against the human leukemia cell line K562 was investigated by evaluation of IC₅₀ values and mode of cell death (apoptosis).

A compartmental Schiff base ligand and its copper, cobalt and zinc complexes were prepared. The in vitro activities of all compounds against the human leukemia cell line K562 were investigated along with docking and DFT studies.

Synthesis, spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, DFT calculations, DNA binding and molecular docking of a propargyl arms containing Schiff base

A propargyl arms containing Schiff base (L) was synthesized by the condensation of 1-[2-hydroxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]ethanone with trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The structure of L was characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The UV-Visible spectral behavior of L in different solvents exhibits positive solvatochromism. Density functional calculation of the L in gas phase was performed by using DFT (B3LYP) method with 6-31G basis set. The computed vibrational frequencies and NMR signals of L were compared with the experimental data. Tautomeric stability study inferred that the enolimine is more stable than the ketoamine form. The charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Electronic absorption and emission spectral studies were used to study the binding of L with CT-DNA. The molecular docking was done to identify the interaction of L with A-DNA and B-DNA.

Synthesis, spectral, crystal structure, thermal behavior, antimicrobial and DNA cleavage potential of two octahedral cadmium complexes: a supramolecular structure

Two new cadmium(II) complexes with the formula of CdL2(NCS)2 and CdL2(N3)2 (in which L is 2,2-dimethyl-N,N'-bis-(3-phenyl-allylidene)-propane-1,3-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity measurements, FT/IR, UV-Visible, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra and X-ray studies. The crystal structure analysis of CdL2(NCS)2 indicated that it crystallizes in orthorhombic system with space group of Pbca. Two Schiff base ligands are bonded to cadmium(II) ion as N2-donor chelate. Coordination geometry around the cadmium ion was found to be partially distorted octahedron. The Cd-Nimine bond distances are found in the range of 2.363(2)-2.427(2)Å while the Cd-Nisothiocyanate bond distances are 2.287(2)Å and 2.310(2)Å. The existence of C-H⋯π and C-H⋯S interactions in the CdL2(NCS)2 crystal leads to a supramolecular structure in its network. Then cadmium complexes were screened in vitro for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against two Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacteria and also against Candida albicans as a fungus. Moreover, the compounds were subjected for DNA-cleavage potential by gel electrophoresis method. Finally thermo-gravimetric analysis of the complexes was applied for thermal behavior studies and then some thermo-kinetics activation parameters were evaluated.