Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial, and thermal studies of unsymmetrical Schiff-base complexes of cobalt(II)

Abstract

Cobalt(II) complexes of a new series of unsymmetrical Schiff bases have been synthesized and characterized by their elemental analyses, melting points, magnetic susceptibility, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared (IR), and electronic spectral measurements. The purity of the ligands and the metal complexes are confirmed by microanalysis, while the unsymmetrical nature of the ligands was further corroborated by ¹H-NMR. Comparison of the IR spectra of the Schiff bases and their metal complexes confirm that the Schiff bases are tetradentate and coordinated via N₂O₂ chromophore. The magnetic moments and electronic spectral data support square-planar geometry for the cobalt(II) complexes. The complexes were thermally stable to 372.3°C and their thermal decomposition was generally via the partial loss of the organic moiety. The Schiff bases and their complexes were screened for in vitro antibacterial activities against 10 human pathogenic bacteria and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined. Both the free ligands and cobalt(II) complexes exhibit antibacterial activities against some strains of the microorganisms, which in a number of cases were comparable with, or higher than, that of chloramphenicol.

Keywords:

• Cobalt(II)
• Unsymmetrical Schiff base
• Antibacterial activities, MIC

Acknowledgment

G.A. Kolawole and A.A. Nejo acknowledge support from the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, under the IRDP funding.