ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis of waugh-type anion - (copper, vanadium) based curcumin complexes: characterization, properties and biological evaluation

S. Jemimah Lims, N. Rajesh Kumar, Jothi Selvam, Alphonse Lazar, Bharath Samannan, and Jeyabalan Thavasikani

Department of Chemistry, Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Thiruvalluvar University, Serkkadu, Tirupattur, India

E-mail: jayabalandr@gmail.com

Received: 10 September 2025  Accepted: 23 December 2025

Abstract:

Waugh-type polyoxometalates (POMs) functionalized with curcumin offers new opportunities for developing hybrid materials with enhanced biological and physicochemical properties. In this study, three such hybrids 9CUR, 9CuCU, and 9VCU were synthesized through curcumin coordination and selective substitution of Cu or V within the MnMo₉O₃₂ framework. The structural integrity of the Waugh anion and successful metal incorporation were confirmed through complementary spectroscopic, thermal, dielectric, and biological analyses. Among the hybrids, 9CuCU demonstrated the strongest cytotoxic response toward MG63 osteosarcoma cells, whereas 9VCU displayed notable antibacterial activity at elevated concentrations. Thermal and dielectric assessments further revealed distinct stability profiles and conduction behaviors arising from the specific metal substitutions. Collectively, these findings show that strategic incorporation of Cu and V significantly tailors the structural, electronic, and biological characteristics of POM–curcumin hybrids, positioning 9CuCU as a particularly promising candidate for future biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract

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Keywords: Hybrid materials; Waugh type polyoxometalates (9POM); Antimicrobial studies; MG63 cell viability; Curcumin; Cytotoxicity

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04662-3

Chemical Papers 80 (4) 3925–3939 (2026)