Synthesis, characterization and anti-microbial activity of phenylurea–formaldehyde resin (PUF) and its polymer metal complexes (PUF–Mn(II)

Phenylurea–formaldehyde polymer (PUF) was synthesized via polycondensation of phenylurea and formaldehyde in basic medium, its polymer–metal complexes [PUF–M(II)] were prepared with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions. PUF and PUF–M(II) were characterized with magnetic moment measurements, elemental and spectral (UV–visible, FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and ESR) analysis. The thermal behaviors of all the synthesized polymers were carried out using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The thermal data revealed that all of the PUF–M(II) showed higher thermal stabilities than the PUF and also ascribed that the PUF–Cu(II) showed better thermal stability than the other PUF–M(II). The kinetic parameters such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor etc., were evaluated for these polymer metal complexes using Coats–Redfern equation. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized polymers was tested against several microorganisms using agar well diffusion methods. Among all of the PUF–M(II), the antimicrobial activity of the PUF–Cu(II) showed the highest zone of inhibition because of its higher stability constant and may be used in biomedical applications.

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► Polymeric ligand has been synthesized by the reaction of phenylurea and formaldehyde.
► The thermal behaviors of all the synthesized polymers were carried out using TGA/DTA.
► Kinetic parameters such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor etc., were evaluated using Coats–Redfern equation.
► Polymers were tested against several microorganisms using agar well diffusion methods.