Spectroscopic studies and biological activity of some transition metal complexes of unusual Schiff base

Unusual Schiff base ligand, 4-ethanimidoyl-6-[(1E)-N-(2-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl)ethanimidoyl]benzene-1,3-diol, L, was synthesized via catalytic process involving the interaction of some metal ions with a macrocyclic Schiff base (MSB). The transition metal derivatives [ML(H2O)4](NO3)3, M = Cr(III) and Fe(III), [NiL(H2O)4](NO3)2, [ML(H2O)2](NO3)2, M = Zn(II) and Cd(II), [Cl2Pd(μ-Cl)2PdL], [PtL(Cl)2] and [PtL(Cl)4] were also synthesized from the corresponding metal species with L. The Schiff bases and complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of L was determined by X-ray analysis. The spectroscopic studies revealed a variety of structure arrangements for the complexes. The biological activities of L and metal complexes against the Escherchia coli as Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria, and the two fungus Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans were screened. The cytotoxicity of [PtL(Cl)2] complex, a cis-platin analogous, was checked as an antitumor agent on two breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D) and human liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2).

Graphical abstractUnusual Schiff base ligand, 4-ethanimidoyl-6-[(1E)-N-(2-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl)ethanimidoyl]benzene-1,3-diol, L, was synthesized via catalytic process. Some transition metal derivatives were also synthesized from the corresponding metal species with L. The biological activities of L and metal complexes were screened.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis and analysis of unusual Schiff base from a macrocycle Schiff base (L). ► Synthesis and spectroscopic of some transition metal complexes derived from L. ► Crystal structure of L was determined through X-ray single crystal analysis. ► Biological activity of L and complexes against bacteria and fungus were screened. ► Cytotoxicity of [PtIIL(Cl)2] complex was checked as an antitumor agent.