A Multipurpose Metallophore and Its Copper Complexes with Diverse Catalytic Antioxidant Properties to Deal with Metal and Oxidative Stress Disorders: A Combined Experimental, Theoretical, and Study.

We report the discovery that the molecule 1-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)propan-2-ol (HL) can reduce oxidative stress in neuronal C6 glioma cells exposed to reactive oxygen species (O, HO, and OH) and metal (Cu) stress conditions. Furthermore, its association with Cu generates [Cu(HL)Cl] () and Cu(HL) () complexes that also exhibit antioxidant properties. Potentiometric titration data show that HL can coordinate to Cu in 1:1 and 1:2 Cu:ligand ratios, which was confirmed by monocrystal X-ray studies. The subsequent ultraviolet-visible, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments show that they can decompose a variety of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Kinetic studies revealed that and mimic the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Complex promotes the fastest decomposition of HO ( = 2.32 × 10 M s), efficiently dismutases the superoxide anion ( = 3.08 × 10 M s), and scavenges the hydroxyl radical (RSA = 25.7 × 10 M). Density functional theory calculations support the formation of dinuclear Cu-peroxide and mononuclear Cu-superoxide species in the reactions of [Cu(HL)Cl] with HO and O, respectively. Furthermore, both and also reduce the oxidative stress of neuronal glioma C6 cells exposed to different ROS, including O and OH.