Synthesis, catalysis, antimicrobial activity, and DNA interactions of new Cu(II)-Schiff base complexes

Abstract

Structural features and catalytic activities of five ternary copper (II)-Schiff base complexes are investigated. The ligands are derived from 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde (MS) or 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde (DS) and amino acids {L-phenylalanine (Phe), L histidine (His) or DL-tryptophan (Trp)}, as primary ligands, and 2,4′-bipyridyl (DP) as a secondary ligand. Cu(II)-complexes are characterized by various physicochemical tools. The catalytic efficiency of Cu(II)-complexes is studied in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by an aqueous H₂O₂ in different reaction conditions. Temperature and catalyst features are involved in order to obtain the optimized catalytic oxidation conditions of benzaldehyde production. The Schiff base ligands and their ternary complexes are screened for their antimicrobial activities in various types of fungi and bacteria. The interaction between Cu(II)-complexes and (CT-DNA) was examined by employing various techniques, including viscosity, spectral and gel electrophoreses studies.

Keywords:

• Amino acid Schiff bases
• benzyl alcohol
• biological activities
• catalytic oxidation
• copper (II)