Characterization and DNA binding studies of unexplored imidazolidines by electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry

UV–Vis spectroscopic behavior of four imidazolidine derivatives i.e., [5-benzylideneimidazolidine-2,4-dione (NBI), 5-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (HBI), 5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (MBI) and 5-(3,4-di-methoxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (DBI)] was studied in a wide pH range. Spectroscopic response of the studied compounds was found sensitive to pH and the attached substituents. Incited by anti-tumor activity, structural miscellany and biological applications of imidazolidines, the DNA binding affinity of some novel derivatives of this class of compounds was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV–Vis spectroscopy at pH values of blood (7.4) and lysosomes (4.5). The CV results showed the following order of binding strength: KNBI (6.40 × 106 M−1) > KHBI (1.77 × 105 M−1) > KMBI (2.06 × 104 M−1) > KDBI (1.01 × 104 M−1) at pH 7.4. The same order was also obtained from UV–Vis spectroscopy. The greater affinity of NBI justified its preferred candidature as an effective anti-cancer drug. The DNA binding propensity of these compounds was found comparable or greater than most of the clinically used anticancer drugs.