Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties of two Cu(II) complexes derived from a benzimidazole ligand

Abstract

Two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)₂](ClO₄)₂] and [Cu(L)(bipy)](ClO₄)₂, were prepared and characterized by the spectroscopic and analytic methods, where L is N-butylbenzimidazole and bipy is 2,2′-bipyridine. Single crystals of [Cu(L)(bipy)](ClO₄)₂ suitable for X-ray diffraction study were obtained by slow diffusion of diethyl ether into a DMF solution of the complex and the complex was found to crystallize as [Cu(L)(bipy)](ClO₄)₂·DMF. The asymmetric unit contains one [Cu(L)(bipy)]²⁺, two uncoordinated perchlorates, and one DMF solvate. Coordination geometry around Cu(II) is distorted square pyramidal with τ value of 0.31. Thermal properties of the complexes were examined by thermogravimetric analysis, indicating that the complexes are thermally stable to 310 °C. The metal complexes were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus (as Gram(+) bacteria), Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (as Gram(–) bacteria), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis, and Candida albicans (as yeasts). The complexes show antibacterial and antifungal activities against bacteria and yeasts.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Cu(II) complex
• Benzimidazole
• 2,2′-Bipyridine
• X-ray structure
• Antimicrobial

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to the Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University for providing laboratory and analytical facilities. The author wishes to thank Prof. Vickie McKee for allowing the use of the X-ray diffractometer and Prof. Metin Dığrak for antimicrobial studies.