Synthesis, spectral, bioactivity, and NLO properties of chalcone metal complexes

Abstract

A series of metal(II) complexes ML and ML₂ [where M = Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Cd(II), and VO(II); L = 2-hydroxyphenyl-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-prop-2-en-1-one (HPIP)] have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, IR, UV-Vis, NMR, Mass, and ESR spectral studies. Conductivity measurements reveal that the complexes are non-electrolytes, except VO(II) complex. Spectroscopy and other data show square pyramidal geometry for oxovanadium and octahedral geometry for the other complexes. Redox behavior of the copper(II) and vanadyl complexes has been studied with cyclic voltammetry. Antimicrobial activities against several microorganisms indicate that a few complexes exhibit considerable activity. The nuclease activity shows that the complexes cleave DNA. All synthesized compounds can serve as potential photoactive materials as indicated from their characteristic fluorescence properties. The second harmonic generation efficiency of the ligand is higher than that of urea and KDP.

Keywords:

• 2-Hydroxyphenyl-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-prop-2-en-1-one
• Indole-3-aldehyde
• Metal(II) complexes
• DNA studies
• Fluorescence
• SHG

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Management of Thiagarajar College, Madurai, and one of the authors (PT) thanks the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), New Delhi for providing financial support and SAIF, IIT, Bombay, and SAIF, CDRI, Lucknow for providing analytical facilities.