Synthesis, characterization and biological studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with pyrral-l-histidinate

The Schiff base ligand, pyrral-l-histidinate(L) and its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass, molar conductance, IR, electronic, magnetic measurements, EPR, redox properties, thermal studies, XRD and SEM. Conductance measurements indicate that the above complexes are 1:1 electrolytes. IR data show that the ligand is tridentate and the binding sites are azomethine nitrogen, imidazole nitrogen and carboxylato oxygen atoms. Electronic spectral and magnetic measurements indicate tetrahedral geometry for Co(II) and octahedral geometry for Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes, respectively. The observed anisotropic g values indicate the presence of Cu(II) in a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment. The redox properties of the ligand and its complexes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Thermal decomposition profiles are consistent with the proposed formulations. The powder XRD and SEM studies show that all the complexes are nanocrystalline. The in vitro biological screening effects of the synthesized compounds were tested against the bacterial species, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus; fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans by the disc diffusion method. The results indicate that complexes exhibit more activity than the ligand. The nuclease activity of the ligand and its complexes were assayed on CT DNA using gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of H2O2.