Structural features and DNA binding ability of SBA-15 nanostructured silica containing amino acids or amino acid-derived drugs grafted with vanadocene complexes

Novel silica nanostructured materials, synthesized by functionalizing SBA-15 with amino acids or amino acid-derived drugs and vanadocenes, have been meticulously characterized using a range of spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Employing FTIR, solid-state UV-vis, XRF, XRD, and TGA analyses, we have unequivocally confirmed the successful functionalization of the silica carriers. The incorporation of our target molecules predominantly occurred within the pores of these silica-based systems, as evidenced by the discernible reduction in peak intensities in the corresponding diffractograms post-functionalization. Complementing these findings, solid-state 51V NMR investigations suggest a four-coordinated local symmetry around V in the final materials (S6–S8). Additionally, we conducted qualitative DNA binding tests on S7, which yielded compelling results indicating DNA adherence to the surfaces of the metallodrug-functionalized nanomaterials. In light of these results, our proposed nanosystems exhibit significant promise as potential anticancer agents.