Stability constants of copper(II) mixed complexes with some 4-quinolone antibiotics and (N-N) donors.

Studies of complexation equilibria of the antibiotic anions nalidixate and cinoxacinate with [Cu(phen)]2+ and [Cu(bipy)]2+ are reported. These studies indicate that the stability of this type of complex is strongly related to the metal environment. A correlation between the stability constants, determined here, with the sigma donation character of the ligand is proposed. This study shows that the stability constant for the reaction between the quinolones and the moiety [Cu(N-N)]2+ is dependent on the coordinate diamine to the metal ion. This is in agreement with previous studies where other physical properties as their electronic absorption spectra in the visible region, display similar behavior. These results suggest that inside the living cells, a possible interaction with some metal ion will be strongly controlled by the type of ligand bound to the cation.