Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of m-toluenesulfonamide, N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis (mtsen) and [Cu(II)(phenanthroline)2]mtsen complex

M-toluenesulfonamide, N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis (a disulfonamide compound, mtsen) and [Cu(II)(phenanthroline)2]mtsen compounds were newly synthesized. The molecular structure of mtsen was investigated by using elemental analyses, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dispersive Raman spectroscopy, 1H, 13C, heteronuclear chemical-shift correlation (HETCOR) and correlation spectroscopy (COSY) NMR spectroscopies. The FT-IR, dispersive Raman and far-infrared spectra of mtsen were recorded at room-temperature and discussed assisted with B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory along with scaled quantum mechanics force field (SQM-FF) method. Furthermore, 1H and 13C NMR analyses were performed at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) theory level using gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) method and compared with the experimental findings. Further analyses were also made for [Cu(II)(phenanthroline)2]mtsen complex by using elemental analysis, LC–MS, magnetic susceptibility; conductivity measurement and FT-IR. The antibacterial activities of synthesized compounds were studied against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by using the microdilution and disk diffusion method. The biological activity screening showed that complex have more activity than ligand against the tested bacteria.

► M-toluenesulfonamide, N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis (mtsen) and [Cu(II)(phenanthroline)2]mtsen compounds were synthesized.
► The structure of msen was proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, spectral analyses and DFT.
► The structure of complex was investigated magnetic susceptibility, conductivity measurement and FT-IR.
► The complete assignments of mtsen were performed on the basis of the PED.
► The in-vitro antibacterial activities of compounds were also tested.