Introduction

The spread of cancerous diseases is a major contributor to the global health crisis. These issues have recently been compounded by the Corona pandemic, which is devastatingly affecting humanity. Consequently, an argent request was made to design and synthesize drugs, then investigate their in vitro and in vivo biological effects. Recently, computational, and molecular docking studies have been used frequently to design medications and conduct hypothetical tests to predict their efficacy [1,2,3].

Hydrazo-containing compounds represent a unique and important class of Schiff bases with the functional group -C = N–NH-. These compounds are of particular significance due to their notable redox properties, stability, wide range of biological activities, and commercial utility. Additionally, their affordability and straightforward synthesis further contribute to their appeal [4, 5]. The interaction of hydrazo compounds with metal ions, produces metal complexes possessing unique features, particularly in the field of antibacterial and antifungal activities [6,7,8,9]. Stable metal complexes fragment with high delocalization of the electron density are prevalent amongst coordination compounds. The remarkable redox activity exhibited by azo-hydrazones has played a crucial role in the formation of metal complexes, leading to potent medicinal and biological consequences [8].

In chemistry and materials-related researches, density-functional theory (DFT) became a common computational method used to investigate the electronic and nuclear structure of molecules in their ground state. DFT considers functionals that are related to the spatially varying electron density, giving a view about multi-electron systems. However, several disciplines, including computational chemistry, accept DFT as an important method due to its versatility and widespread application [10,11,12]. Combination between computational studies and experimental data give better understanding of the material properties, which may lead to different applications. Moreover, Molecular docking (MD) is known to be a low-cost theoretical modeling method employed to simulate the action between designed drugs and cell receptors. This is a very helpful method that can be applied before experimental trials to select the most expected useful drug. Recently, MD was employed to examine several drugs against corona virus helping in the development of potential medicines or drugs for the treatment of infection or symptoms [13, 14].

In this research, and in continuation of our work for the study of azo-hydrazo ligands` coordination behavior [8, 9, 15, 16], we are studying the behavior of aniline and 4-aminopyridine based azo-hydrazo compounds toward copper(II) perchlorate salt, characterizing the products via different physicochemical tools, studying their bioactivity, and DNA binding mode. Furthermore, the DFT computational studies are applied to simulate and describe the molecular structure and some biological properties based on the electronic properties of the compounds. In addition, the utilization of molecular docking is employed in two distinct directions. Firstly, it is utilized to gain insights into the molecular interaction and binding efficacy of the products towards the in vitro examined breast cancer. This is achieved by employing the Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (PDB Id: 6CBZ) as a reference. Secondly, molecular docking is employed to investigate the potential of synthesized compounds as a drug for SARS-CoV-2, a member of the coronavirus family. SARS-CoV-2 is composed of four structural proteins and sixteen non-structural proteins (NSP). Among these, the main protease (Mpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) are believed to play a crucial role in the replication of the virus [17,18,19]. Thus, the molecular docking targeting Mpro is utilized to predict their efficiency to inhibit its growth.

Experimental

Materials and reagents as well as physical measurements; CHN and metal analyses, molar conductivity, spectral analysis (FT-IR, UV–Vis,1H-NMR, as well as X-ray photoemission spectroscopy), and cyclic voltammetry are described in supplementary materials. All chemicals were used referring to their MSDS sheets. Many trials were performed to obtain crystals using different solvents, but unfortunately stable crystals suitable for single crystal x-ray analysis were not isolated. However, a number of techniques were employed to fully describe and illustrate the compounds.

Synthesis of ligands and their copper complexes

Synthesis of organic ligands, PCHD and PyCHD

The two ligands, phenylcarbonohydrazonoyl dicyanide (PCHD) and pyridin-4-ylcarbonohydrazonoyl dicyanide (PyCHD) were synthesized similar to literature [8, 9]. Synthesis of PCHD (C9H6N4)was described in our previous work as one of the steps leading to the targeted ligand [8]. The same procedure was followed for the synthesis of PyCHD by dissolving 30.0 mmol of 4-aminopyridine (2.82 g), in 10 mL of 34% hydrochloric acid. The reaction temperature was kept in the range (-5—0) ℃, while drop wise addition of 20.0 mL aqueous, cold solution NaNO2 (2.07 g, 30 mmol) with continuous stirring. The product was then slowly added to (10 mL) of malononitrile (1.98 g, 30 mmol) and CH3COONa (5 g, 60 mmol). Next, the isolation of the formed yellow solid was followed by decantation, washing with distilled water, and drying under vacuum at 60 ℃ for 24 h.

Synthesis of Bis(N-phenylcarbonohydrazonoyldicyanide)copper(I) perchlorate monohydrate and Bis(pyridin-4-ylcarbonohydrazonoyl-dicyanide) copper(I) perchlorate monohydrate complexes: [Cu(L)2]ClO4.H2O, L = PCHD or PyCHD

A solution of Cu(ClO4)2.6H2O (0.37 mg, 1.0 mmol) in ethanol (10 mL) was slowly dropwise added to a hot ethanolic solution of 15 mL of PCHD (0.34 g, 2.0 mmol) or PyCHD (0.35 mg, 2.0 mmol). Stirring the mixture for three hours under reflux at 70 ℃, leaving the products to cool at room temperature, the produced powder filtered, washed with distilled water, and dried in a vacuum oven at 60 ℃ for 24 h.

Computational calculations

DFT calculations was performed using the hybrid correlation function (B3LYP), with the fitted basis set 6–311G +  + (d.p) with LANL2DZ via Gaussian 09 software package [20, 21]. The Gauss View 6.0 software and Chemcraft program were utilized for drawing the optimized structure of the synthesized ligands and their copper complexes [22]. The optimized geometry energy minima of the products were identified as there were no imaginary frequency modes [23, 24].

In vitro antimicrobial screening

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the synthesized compounds: PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O were investigated by applying a modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method[25], against some pathogenic bacterial strain. The methodology and process of evaluation are included in the Additional file 1 [26]. [details are described in Additional file 1].

Cytotoxicity evaluation of the compounds

The cytotoxicity of the four synthesized compounds: PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, was studied against the mammalian breast carcinoma cell line (MCF7). Cell toxicity was determined by assessing the impact of the investigated compounds on cell shape and viability. For cytotoxicity assay, the cells were incubated in a 96-well plate with a cell concentration per well is 1.0 × 104 in 100 μL of growth medium. The cell cytotoxic effects were calculated for each compound [27]. The IC50, inhibitory activity, for Cisplatin Standard against MCF-7 was also detected. The method was performed as previously reported [28]. [See Additional file 1].

DNA-binding studies by UV-absorption spectroscopy

A stock solution of wheat DNA was made by dilution with buffer solution consisting of 150 mM to 15 mM of the NaCl to trisodium citrate, at pH 7.0. The stock solution of wheat DNA was appropriately free of protein contamination that is proved by the value of UV- absorption ratio (260 nm/280 nm) = 1.73 [29,30,31]. Details are described in the Additional file 1.

Molecular docking

Molecular docking studies were done to understand the molecular affinity between the synthesized ligands and their copper complexes, against Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (PDB Id: 6CBZ) and COVID-19 Mpro of corona virus (PDB Id: 6WTT) using AutoDock4.2 [32]. The three-dimensional crystallographic structure of protein was obtained from PDB website. The antiviral activity of the reference inhibitor GC-376 (K36) was used as an effective docking analysis standard and EST used as a standard for Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain. The structure of the receptors was assumed by addition of polar hydrogens and removing the small ligands and ions. Kollman charges were used to calculate the partial atomic charge. The active sites were selected for grid box preparation and adapted with the spacing of 0.592 and 0.375 Å, dimensions of x, y, and z-axes were set to 78 × 96 × 64 and 38 × 32 × 38 points for 6WTT and 6CBZ, respectively. The Lamarckian Genetic Algorithm (LGA) was chosen [33]. The genetic algorithm parameters were set to 50 runs with 300 population size; the number of evaluations was selected to be 25,000,00. Biovia Discovery Studio and Chimera X 1.4 softwares [34] used to visualize the different molecular interactions between the biologically active compounds and the receptor.

Results and discussion

Synthesis and characterization of PCHD, PyCHD and their copper(I) complexes

PCHD and PyCHD were synthesized by diazotization of aniline and 4-aminopyridine, respectively, and coupling with malononitrile, Scheme 1. Both ligands are air-stable for a long time, with melting points at 132.0 ± 1.0 and 200.0 ± 1.0 ℃, for PCHD and PyCHD, respectively. The reaction of both ligands with Cu(ClO4)2.6H2O in a 2 ligand:1Cu(II)- mole ratio using ethanol as a solvent gave the corresponding olive green binary copper complex; [Cu(L)2]ClO4.H2O, where (L = PCHD or PyCHD), Scheme 1. The molecular formulae of the copper(I) complexes depending on their elemental analyses, mass spectral data and molar conductivity values, Table 1. For 1.0 × 10–3 M in DMSO solutions at 25 ± 1 °C, the molar conductivity values of 28.27 and 37.69 for [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, respectively, are characteristic of 1:1 electrolytes, supporting the scheduled chemical formulae of the complexes [15, 35]. The complexes are room temperature- air stable and soluble in polar aprotic solvents (DMF and DMSO), slightly soluble in ethanol and methanol, but insoluble in acetone, diethyl ether, and water.

Scheme 1
scheme 1

Synthesis of PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O

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Table 1 Elemental analysis and some physical properties of PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4. H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4. H2O
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FT-IR spectroscopy

FT-IR spectra of the PCHD, PyCHD and their copper(I) complexes are noted in the range of 4000- 400 cm−1, Additional file 1: Fig. S1, and the most important bands with their exploratory assignments [36] are summarized in Table 2. The ν (C = N) moiety peak appeared as strong band at 1605, 1634, 1640 and 1607 cm−1, in PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, respectively [10]. The amide moiety peak appeared as medium broad band at 3469 and 3440 cm−1, for PCHD and PyCHD, respectively, is either red-shifted or blue-shifted in the corresponding complex, supporting their coordination to the copper ion. Their bonding to copper(I) ion is also confirmed by the presence of the new weak-medium band at 482 and 431 cm−1 assignable to ν(Cu–N) for [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, respectively [37]. The spectrum of PyCHD exhibits a medium band at 1563 cm−1 (absent in PCHD spectrum) assigned to ν (C = N)pyridine [38]. This band is very slightly shifted to appear at 1560 cm−1 in the complex, suggesting its non-bonding to the copper ion. The band due to ν(C≡N) is located at 2232 and 2215 cm−1 for PCHD and PyCHD, respectively. Upon complex formation, this band is blue shifted in both complexes, which may be attributable to the effect of the complexed hydrazo group on the force strength of the C≡N. The bands in the ranges of 1200–1640 cm−1 are assigned to δ (C − N) and ν (C = C) and ν (C − C) [38, 39]. While the bands at 3060 cm−1 and 3079 cm−1 are assigned to the aromatic ν (C–H) in PCHD and PyCHD, respectively, these bands are very slightly affected by complex formation. The spectrum of [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, displayed one strong band at 1169 and one weak band at 928 cm−1, while [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O exhibited a very strong band at 1098(vs) and 929 (w) cm−1 characteristic of ionic non-coordinated perchlorate moiety [8, 40]. The existence of the perchlorate group in the ionization sphere was confirmed from the room temperature molar conductivity value of 37.69 Ohm−1 cm2 mol−1 for 1.0 × 10−3 M solution.

Table 2 FT-IR data (ν, cm−1) of PCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, PyCHD and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O
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Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra

The 1HNMR spectrum of PCHD displays a singlet signal at δ 13.07 ppm (absent in PyCHD), which disappeared in the presence of D2O, characteristic of hydrogen-bonded –NH–, Additional file 1: Fig. S2. The two triplet signals at δ 7.12 (one proton) and 7.34 (two protons) ppm belong to para– and meta-protons of the phenyl ring, respectively. The doublet signal at δ 7.39 (two protons) ppm referred to ortho–protons of the phenyl ring. The appearance of (NH) and (CH) signals in 1HNMR spectrum of PCHD indicates the co-existence of the azo and hydrazo tautomeric forms, Scheme 1 [41]. Moreover, the suggested tautomerism in PCHD is evidenced by the observation of specific signals in the 13C-NMR spectra, Additional file 1: Fig. S3. Specifically, a signal at δC = 84.25 ppm is attributed to the (CH) carbon, while a signal at 142.79 ppm belongs to the (C–NH) carbon. The two cyano-carbons exhibited two distinct signals with chemical shifts of 111.01 and 115.51 ppm. The 1HNMR spectrum of PyCHD gave two doublets at δ 7.35 (two protons) and 8.32 (two protons) ppm due to two ortho and two meta protons of the pyridine ring, respectively. The signal at δ 1.89 (one H) ppm in both ligands is attributed to the proton of (CH) moiety. The absence of a peak characteristic of NH proton either at the high field region (δ 6–8 ppm) or low field region (δ > 10 ppm) in the spectrum of PyCHD indicated its existence mainly in the azo-form in DMSO solution. This is confirmed by 13C-NMR spectral analysis of PyCHD, Additional file 1: Fig. S3, where it can be deduced that the predominant form of the product is observed to be in the azo configuration. The presence of an imine carbon signal at δC = 77.44 ppm, two cyano-carbons at δC = 116.18 ppm, and pyridyl carbons within the range of (145.66—159.47) ppm are observed. On the other hand, the 1HNMR spectra of [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, Fig. 1, exhibit sharp resonances in the diamagnetic region of the spectrum, which supports the oxidation state assignment of the copper ion as Cu(I).

Fig. 1
figure 1

1HNMR spectrum of (A) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and (B) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O complexes in d6-DMSO

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Electronic absorption spectra

PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O are subjected to UV–Vis radiation to study their electronic absorption spectra, Additional file 1: Fig. S4, and the data are assembled in Table 3. The spectra of PCHD and PyCHD display intra-ligand π-π* transitions bands at 256 (ε = 10,680 Lmol−1 cm−1) and 260 nm (ε = 32,480 Lmol−1 cm−1), respectively. Moreover, the n- π* transitions appear as two bands at 360 and 380 nm with ε = 15,680 and 15,310 Lmol−1 cm−1, respectively, for PCHD. The spectrum of PyCHD displays only one broad band at 425 nm with ε = 20,468 Lmol−1 cm−1. The bands at 380 nm for PCHD and at 425 nm for PyCHD are attributed to n- π* transitions involving the entire electronic system with charge-transfer (CT) criteria, which attributed to intramolecular CT transition from the nitrogen atom to the heterocycle moiety. The appearance of a split broad band with maxima at 360 and 380 nm in the spectrum of PCHD indicates the presence of azo-hydrazo tautomeric forms in agreement with 1H-NMR outcomes [42]. The d-d transition bands were not observed due to their hidden under the CT band and/or Cu(II) reduction into Cu(I) upon complex formation. The spectra were repeated within two days, showing stability of investigated compounds in DMSO.

Table 3 Electronic spectral transitions for PCHD, PyCHD, and their copper complexes
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Mass spectrometry

The mass spectra of PCHD and PyCHD given in Additional file 1: Fig. S5 show the molecular ion peak at 170.08 and 171.34 a.m.u., respectively, confirming their formula weights based on their elemental analyses (F.W. 170.17 and 171.16). The mass fragmentation pattern, presented in Additional file 1: Schemes S1 and S2, supported the proposed ligands` structure. The mass spectra of [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, Additional file 1: Fig. S5 display a well-defined parent peak at m/z 521.03 and 523.10, respectively, in agreement with the molecular weights determined from the postulated chemical formula of the complexes. Suggested fragmentation is summarized in Schemes (Additional file 1: S3 and S4).

X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS)

XPS is very sensitive even to the small changes in the spatial and electronic structure of the compounds, so it is performed to the synthesized compounds for further understanding of the surface elemental compositions and oxidation states of the copper in each complex. The ligands contain C and N atoms while their complexes contain C and N atoms originated from the ligands, in addition to Cu ions, Cl and O originated from the corresponding hydrated copper(II) perchlorate. The wide scan XPS spectra of the free ligands and their copper complexes are shown in Figs. 2, 3 and Additional file 1: Fig. S6–8 the data collected at 1350 eV for Cu(2p3/2), Cu(2p1/2), C1s, O1s, N1s, and Cl (2p3/2), Cl (2p1/2) are given in Table 4. Atomic compositions for each sample were calculated using narrow-scan peak areas and the appropriate sensitivity factors for each element. The individual contributions within the high-resolution spectra are reported in Table 4. The high-resolution C1s spectra characterized by contributions at 284.08, 284.48, and 285.88 eV in PCHD arising from the C–(C, H), C = C (sp2 bonded carbons), C–C (sp3 bonded carbons), C–N, and C ≡ N. The weakly pronounced broad peak at 290.48 eV for PCHD arises from π– π* shake-up transition. An additional peak in PyCHD spectrum appeared at 288.07 eV, corresponding to the C = N of the pyridinyl ring. The deconvolution of N1s peak shows peaks at 398.39 eV attributable to pyridinyl C = N confirming the structure of PyCHD. The spectra of copper complexes exhibit five peaks corresponds to B.E. of C1s, N1s, O1s, Cl2p, and Cu2p, at 285.05, 399.97, 532.03, 198.74, and 933.32 eV for [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and at 285.43, 399.46, 532.44, 208.08 and 933.84 eV for [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O. The C1s peaks are not affected appreciably upon complex formation (ΔBE) =  ± 0.04 eV). The increase of N1s binding energy to the extent of ΔBE = 0.46 and 0.13 eV for [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, respectively, supports its bonding to the copper ions via the NH group. The Cu–N bonding was established by the NH and N–C peak shift (∆BE =1.3 and 0.22 eV), upon complexation of PCHD and PyCHD, respectively. Regarding the binding energies of copper in [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, two main peaks are shown at 932.24, 952.39 eV (∆BE = 20.15),corresponding to main characteristic doublets copper 2p3/2 and 2p1/2 for Cu(I) species [43]. Similarly, the spectrum of [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O shows two peaks at 932.47 and 952.37eV (∆BE = 19.9 eV) characteristic of copper 2p3/2 and 2p1/2 peaks, respectively, indexed to the Cu(I) oxidation state [43, 44]. XPS spectra of Cl2p core levels show bands of (Cl 2p3/2 at 199.6 eV, Cl 2p1/2 at 197.96 eV) in case of [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and (Cl 2p3/2 = 208.7 eV, Cl 2p1/2 = 207.11 eV) and for [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, with peak separation (∆BE = 1.64 and 1.59 eV), respectively, corresponding to the perchlorate group [45].

Fig. 2
figure 2

Survey spectra of XPS for (A) PCHD, (B) PyCHD, (C) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4. H2O, and (D) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Cu2p XPS spectra for: (A) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and (B) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O

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Table 4 XPS data of the free ligands and their copper complexes
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Cyclic voltammetry

The redox properties of PCHD, and its copper(I) complex are investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), Additional file 1: Figs. S9, 10. The cyclic voltammograms are measured in the potential range +3000 mV to −3000 mV. The electrochemical data of the PCHD and [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O are collected in Table 5. [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O displayed one redox wave in the 0 to +3000 mV region, Additional file 1: Figs. S9, 10, which is assigned to the Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox couple (~860 mV, vs. Ag/Ag+) [46]. This wave is described as a quasi-reversible electron transfer because its peak-to-peak separation (\(\Delta \) Ep) is shifted with the scan rate, and the peak current (Ip) varies linearly with the square root of the scan rate Additional file 1: Fig. S11 [47]. The cyclic voltammograms of PCHD ligand did not show any redox wave in the 0 to +3000 mV range. On the other hand, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O exhibited one redox wave in the negative region (0 to—3000 mV), which is assigned to Cu(0)/Cu(I) redox couple (E1/2 ~ − 660 mV vs Ag/Ag+)[48]. Since the peak-to-peak separation (\(\Delta \)Ep) of this wave is shifted with the scan rate, and the peak current (Ip) varies linearly with the square root of the scan rate, Additional file 1: Fig. S11, this wave is described as a quasi-reversible electrochemical wave, Additional file 1: Fig. S10. Irreversible anodic wave is also observed in this region (~−2300 mV vs Ag/Ag+) and it is assigned to the oxidation of the PCHD ligand, since its CV have similar waves (~−2260 mV vs Ag/Ag+) but it is slightly shifted toward more negative potential upon metal coordination. This indicates that the coordination of copper increases the electron density on the PCHD ligand. These results reveal the effect of the copper ion on the redox properties of the PCHD ligand. Moreover, the CV of PCHD showed irreversible reduction wave (cathodic) around ~−600 mV, attributed to hydrazo formation [49].

Table 5 Cyclic voltammetry data of PCHD ligand and [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O[a]
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Computational studies

The DFT theoretical methods can provide the electronic properties and geometrical structures of the molecules. Different parameters for example optimization energy, bond lengths, bond angles, quantum parameter such as HOMO and HUMO energies could be calculated from the optimized structure [12].

Optimization of the compound geometry

The best fitted structural forms for PCHD, PyCHD ligands and their Cu(I)complexes Fig. 4, were established to maintain the bonding nature sandwiched between the ligands and the copper ions. The optimized molecular structure bond lengths and angles were calculated and tabulated in Additional file 1: Table S1–3. The following observations can be drawn:

  1. 1-

    The bond length of C(3)—N(12), N(12)—H(13), benzene ring bond and C(3)—N(11), N(11)- H(12), pyridine ring of [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O complexes, respectively, are stretched as coordination happens with the N-atoms of hydrazo moiety (–C–N–N–H–)[50].

  2. 2-

    Bond angle values of 179.86, (N(20)—Cu(19)—N(12)) and (179.68 N(10)—Cu(17)—N(18)), for [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O complexes, respectively, confirm the suggested linear structures [51].

Fig. 4
figure 4

The optimized molecular structure of: (a) PCHD, (b) PyCHD, (c) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4 and (d) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4

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Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP)

The electron density map through MEP was generated by overlying the Van der Waal’s radii of each atom existing in the compounds so that it revealed the distribution of charge, accordingly, visualize the morphological properties and the reactivity of the molecules. The reactive spots for electrophilic in addition to nucleophilic attack through the chemical reactions can be predicted through maps [52]. MEP diagrams showed the significant reactive regions in the synthesized ligands and their copper complexes Fig. 5. The most electron rich areas in the considered ligands are associated with the nitrogen atom of − C≡N groups as revealed by the red color. Also, this site characterizes the most reactive site as hydrogen acceptor that interacts with the adjacent molecules via electrophilic attack. On the other hands, the blue zone near the proton of the N–H groups revealed the most electron poor sites which are important for the nucleophilic attacks as hydrogen bond donor.

Fig. 5
figure 5

The molecular electrostatic potentials map predicted for: (a) PCHD, (b) PyCHD, (c) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4 and (d) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4

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Frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs)

FMOs electronic densities are useful in expecting the reactive positions. The computed energy of formation, HOMO (eV), LUMO (eV) in addition to the dipole moment values were attained for the synthesized ligands and their copper complexes, Table 6. The higher negative values of complexes` formation energy than ligands indicate their higher stability. As shown in Fig. 6, the energy gap (ΔE) = ELUMO—EHOMO of complexes are smaller than the ligand, that can be attributed to chelation and the effect of copper ions. The small energy gap in both complexes describes the chemical structure, the conformation barriers, the simplicity of charge transfer and electronic transitions inside the complexes [53]. PCHD possessed the highest value of electronegativity at 8.94 eV, whereas [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O complexes possessed the lowest value of electronegativity at 4.65 eV. The whole order of system stability potential (ω), for the synthesized ligands and their copper complexes were noted as follows: (PCHD) > (PyCHD) > ([Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O) > ([Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O. Furthermore, the reduced FMO energy gap observed in the complexes, in comparison to the free ligands, may serve as an indicative factor of their elevated biological activity [10,11,12], as substantiated in the subsequent Sect. “Biological evaluation”. Additional file 1: Equations S2–7 are used to calculate the quantum parameters of the synthesized compounds, Table 6 [54].

Table 6 Quantum chemical properties of the synthesized ligands and their copper complexes
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Fig. 6
figure 6

Frontier molecular orbitals diagram (FMOs) of the synthesized ligands and their copper(I) complexes. Negative and positive values of the orbital overlap represented by Green and dark red, respectively

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Biological evaluation

In vitro antimicrobial screening

The synthesized compounds; PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O are tested for their antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis as Gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris as Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida Albicans and Aspergillus Fumigatus as pathogenic fungi, Additional file 1: Figs. S12, 13. The used negative control was DMSO, while the used positive controls were Gentamycin and Ketoconazole as antibacterial and antifungal, respectively. The susceptibility results of these microbial strain panels towards PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O are summarized in Table 7. The growth of the inhibition zone revealed antimicrobial activity against selected organisms. The data showed comparatively larger inhibitory effects of [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O relative to PyCHD or PCHD under the same conditions. The Overtone’s concept and coordination theory clarify the greater efficiency of copper(I) complexes. Based on Overtone’s concept, only lipophilic molecules go through the lipid membrane of cells. Therefore, Lipo-solubility is an important factor that regulates antimicrobial activity. Upon coordination, the associated copper(I) could inhibit cellular enzyme function, or catalyze destructive interactions between cellular constituents[55]. In particular, the investigated compounds show various degree of antibacterial activity, and the activity pattern of these compounds against the growth of most bacteria species is in the order:

Table 7 The inhibition diameter zone values (mm ±) for PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O
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[Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > PyCHD > PCHD.

The higher activity of [Cu(PyCHD)]ClO4.H2O relative to the other compounds is due to nitrogen's capability to create major deviations in the microorganism cells` internal structure, such as nuclear disintegration, mitochondrial function distraction, and cytoplasmic retraction, as well as its resistance to active pathogenic bacteria [56].

In general, the impermeability of the cells or variations in ribosomes are typically responsible for the variation in the activity of the investigated compounds [57]. The results reveal high efficiency of inhibiting the growth of E.coli and P.vulgaris relative to S. aureus and B. subtilis, Table 7. This variation in activity could be caused by modifications to the cell walls of bacteria, a structure that might be utilised to enhance drug absorption [58]. Noteworthy, [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O is found to be a powerful antifungal agent, towards both Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans fungi. While PCHD, PyCHD, and [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O complex showed respectable activity. As reviewed in the literature [59], the type of donor atoms, metal ion and structure of the metal complexes may influence their bioactivities. It worth to mention that [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O complex is more effective among all the tested compounds, in the in vitro screening tests. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of both ligands and their copper(I) complexes were measured by broth microdilution method, Additional file 1: Table S4. [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O showed better potency against tested microbes than other synthesized compounds, and relative to Gentamycin as antibacterial standard or Ketoconazole as antifungal standard.

In vitro cytotoxicity screening

The preliminary cytotoxic activity of the investigated compounds is evaluated versus breast carcinoma human cell lines (MCF7). Different concentrations of PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O are used to calculate the IC50 values, expressing the required concentration to inhibit half the culture growth when the cells are treated with the tested compounds for 48 h. Studying the screening results, Table 8 and Fig. 7, some conclusions are accomplished: (i) the values of IC50 and the % cell viability revealed that the four explored compounds had a cytotoxicity impact on MCF7, (ii) notable activity enhancement was observed for PyCHD and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, (iii) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O exhibited the greatest activity against breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7) with IC50, 1.9 ± 0.1 µg/mL, and (iv) in terms of the activities against breast carcinoma (MCF-7), the tested compounds are arranged in comparison to Cisplatin in the following order:

Table 8 IC50 values (μg/ml) of PCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, PyCHD, [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, against MCF-7, compared with Cisplatin, and their binding constant toward wheat DNA
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Fig. 7
figure 7

Plot of cell viability % versus concentration of (a) PCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and (b) PyCHD, [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, against MCF-7, compared with Cisplatin

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[Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > Cisplatin > PCHD > [Cu (PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > PyCHD. These results demonstrate that the [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O complex can cause cytotoxicity toward diseases and infections mediated by cancer, bacteria, and fungi [60].

DNA-binding studies

Generally, DNA binding studies are useful to appreciate the interaction between the synthesized compounds and targeted microbes which may be covalent, intercalation, groove, or phosphodiester backbone binding. Such interaction is greatly affected by the examined compounds nature [61].

The binding capabilities of the PCHD, PyCHD, [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O are estimated towards wheat DNA, by recording the electronic absorption spectra throughout their interaction [62]. The absorbance measurements were performed by varying the concentrations of DNA (10, 20, 30, 40 up to 90 µL) of 3.5 µM stock wheat DNA, while maintaining the concentration of the ligands or copper complexes (1.0 × 10–4 M). The electronic absorption study of PCHD showed an initial decrease in the intensity of the band at 360 nm, within the low concentrations of DNA using volumes from 10 to 30 µL, (hypochromism), Fig. 8A. While upon increasing the amount of DNA up to 40 µL, significant increase in the band intensity (hyperchromism) is observed. No further changes with increasing the DNA up to 80 μL. The electrostatic binding effect or the possibility that PCHD could uncoil DNA’s helix shape and cause additional bases to embed in exposed DNA may be responsible for the hyperchromic effect [29].

Fig. 8
figure 8

Absorption spectra of 1.00 × 10–4 M (A) PCHD, (B) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, (C) PyCHD, and (D) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O in DMSO solution in the absence and presence of (0–80) µL wheat DNA, and a plot of \(\frac{[\mathrm{DNA}]}{(\mathrm{\varepsilon a}-\mathrm{\varepsilon f})}\) vs. [DNA] for the calculation of the intrinsic binding constant, Kb

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For [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, following the intensity change of the band at 361 nm, with increasing the concentration of DNA, an initial increase starts at low concentrations of DNA up to 20 µL (hyperchromism), followed by intensity decrease up to 40 µL (hypochromism), signifying the direct formation of a new complex with double-helical wheat DNA. Figure 8B. However, no substantial shift was detected upon increasing the wheat DNA up to 80 µL, attributed to the π → π* stacking resulted from the interaction between the complex`s phenyl chromophore and DNA base pairs that is steady with the intercalative binding mode [63].

Following the interaction between PyCHD and DNA Fig. 8C, the band at 430 nm exhibited an increase in intensity. The observed hyperchromism suggests the binding mode to wheat DNA, as either external contact and/or uncoil the DNA helix structure by PyCHD, thus resulting in a destabilization of the DNA duplex and made more bases embedding in DNA exposed [29]. However, the DNA’s purine and pyrimidine bases are exposed as a result of the ligand binding to DNA, which often results in an increase in the absorption intensity. The conformation of DNA is somewhat altered by this type of binding [64].

UV spectrum of ([Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O / wheat DNA) is shown in Fig. 8D. Increasing the DNA concentrations, the absorption band at 300 nm appeared with. The intercalation way involves a strong π– π* stacking interaction between the aromatic chromophore and the DNA base pairs. Since the extent of the hypochromism in the UV–Vis band is consistent with the strength of intercalative interaction, the investigated compounds interact with wheat DNA quite probably by intercalating the compounds into the DNA base pairs [29, 30].

For each complex, the increment of DNA concentration has been monitored to evaluate the intrinsic binding constant, Table 9, which is observed in the range (3.49 × 103–4.75 × 104). From the calculated Kb values, the following points could pick up:

  1. 1.

    The Kb value could be interpreted as proof that wheat DNA is strongly bound by the PCHD, PyCHD, and their copper(I) complexes.

  2. 2.

    The binding extent of [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O to the wheat DNA is greater than the PCHD and PyCHD.

  3. 3.

    The presences of heterocyclic N-donor atoms in PyCHD lead to further increase in the binding strength Kb due to its additional effect.

  4. 4.

    The order of increasing the binding strength can be given as: [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > PyCHD > [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > PCHD

Table 9 Inhibition constant, energy values of docking simulation of Mpro enzyme (PDB: 6WTT) and Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (PDB:6CBZ) with the synthesized compounds
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Molecular docking investigation

Docking detected protein-active site binding modes. It investigates potential biological activity compounds' mechanisms of action [65]. The essential properties of compounds were discovered in the existence of active sites suitable for hydrogen bonding. This property allows them to be strong inhibitors of protein binding and supports the development of enhanced inhibitory molecules [14, 66]. Ions are interacted with using H-bond, electrostatic, and Van der Waals interactions. Docking simulation produced 50 conformations of the protein-compound complexes. The results demonstrated that the docked compounds recognize the protein’s active site and interact with its key amino acids Fig. 9. The more negative energy, the more stability which means a strong binding between sites and receptors. Therefore, the interaction ability of both copper complexes was higher than their ligands. The results are in agreement with the observations obtained from the in vitro breast cancer cell line assay. To determine which compound is likely to be the most effective inhibitor, we compiled their optimized binding, H-bond, and VDW energies in Table 9. Also, the results were associated with k36 and EST as reference inhibitor ligands Additional file 1: Figs. S14, 15. The interaction between the amino acids of the receptor and k36 proceeds via conventional H-bonding with PHE140, HIS164, GLU166, CYS145 and GLN189, carbon hydrogen bond with HIS172 and π-alkyl interaction with PRO168 and HIS41. The actions of the studied compounds were established to act closely inhibited as k36 and EST as the poses become compatible around the active site. The synthesized ligands and their copper(I) complexes, Additional file 1: Table S5, interact with Mpro enzyme (6WTT) and Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (6CBZ) via different types of interactions like, H-bonding, alkyl, π-alkyl and Van der Waals, Fig. 10 [67].

Fig. 9
figure 9

Cartoon representation of (I) Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain, and, (II) SARS-CoV Mpro protein structures with (A) PCHD, (B) PyCHD, (C) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and (D) [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O

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Fig. 10
figure 10

2D mode of binding of: (A) PCHD, (B) PyCHD, (C) [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and (D)[Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O with: (I) Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain, and, (II) SARS-CoV Mpro protein structures

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The docking study represented in Additional file 1: Fig. S16 demonstrates the forms of surface interactions of the receptor `s amino acids with ligands and their copper (I) complexes. The green areas of a protein's surface are hydrogen-accepting sites because of their high electron density. The pinkish protein surfaces, however, are severely lacking in electrons. In addition, the hydrophobic interactions shown as VDW and -alkyl bonds, are reflected in the blue surface of the protein residue. And lastly, the brown areas are less hydrophobic [68].

Conclusion

Synthesis of antimicrobial, antifungal and antitumor redox-active hydrazo containing ligands and their copper(I) complexes were succeeded. The formulation of ligands (PCHD, PyCHD) and their copper(I) complexes ([Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O, and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O) were proposed relying on elemental analysis, 1H-NMR, mass spectra and conductivity measurements. The complexes are shown to be of Cu(I) as withdrawn from their XPS spectra, 1H-NMR spectra, and electrochemistry investigation. Cyclic voltammetry was studied for PCHD and its copper(I) complex, showing the reduction power of the ligand. The invitro biological activities revealed that [Cu(PyCHD)]ClO4.H2O has the higher antimicrobial activity and the greatest activity against breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7) with IC50, 1.9 ± 0.1 µg/mL relative to the other compounds. Both ligands were bound to DNA through an external contact mechanism. While their corresponding copper(I) complexes were linked through intercalation mechanism. The binding constants for PyCHD and its copper complex were greater than PCHD and its copper complex. Molecular docking was applied to distinguish the potent activity of the ligands and their copper complexes towards SARS-CoV-2 genome protease acceptors Mpro (ID:6WTT) and Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (ID:6CBZ), predicting high binding affinity. The synthesized compounds can inhibit COVID-19 viral infection by blocking various active amino acid sides compared to K36 and EST, the standard ligands.