The synthesis, characterization, electrochemical character, catalytic and antimicrobial activity of novel, azo-containing Schiff bases and their metal complexes

Three novel Schiff base ligands containing the azo group, 2-((E)-(4-((E)-phenyldiazenyl)phenylimino)methyl)phenol, 3-((E)-(4-((E)-phenyldiazenyl)phenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol and 4-((E)-(4-((E)-phenyldiazenyl)phenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2,3-triol, were synthesized from the reaction of p-aminoazobenzene with salicylaldehyde, 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, respectively. The mononuclear Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the Schiff base ligands were prepared and characterized using elemental analyses, IR, UV–visible spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and conductance measurements; 1H NMR and mass spectra of the ligands were also recorded. The Co(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes are formed by the coordination of the N and O atoms of the ligands. The electrochemical properties of the metal complexes were investigated at 100 mV s−1 scan rate in DMSO; the oxidative C–C coupling properties of the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes were investigated on the sterically hindered 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP). In addition, the Schiff base ligands and their complexes were evaluated for both their in vitro antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method.