Synthesis and characterization of Schiff base metal complexes: their antimicrobial, genotoxicity and electrochemical properties

Abstract

We have synthesized the three Schiff-base ligands H₂L¹–H₂L³ and their Co^II, Fe^III and Ru^III metal complexes. All compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Oxidation of cyclohexane has been done by the metal complexes in CH₃CN using H₂O₂ and/or t-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as a co-catalyst. The keto-enol tautomeric forms of the ligands have been studied in polar and non-polar organic solvents. Electrochemical properties of the complexes have been studied at different scan rates. Thermal studies were carried out for the compounds. The ligands H₂L¹–H₂L³ were mutagenic on Salmonella Typhimurium TA 98 strain in the presence and/or absence of S9 mix. While the ligands H₂L¹ and H₂L² showed mutagenic activity on the strain TA 100 with and without S9 mix, the ligand H₂L³ was not mutagenic for TA 100. Antimicrobial activity studies of the compounds have also been carried out.

Keywords:

• Schiff base
• Antimicrobial activity
• Genotoxicity
• Electrochemical

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the University Research Foundation (Project No: 2004/7–5); therefore, we thank our research institute.