Spectroscopic characterization and biological activity of dihydrazone transition metal complexes: Crystal structure of 2,3-butanedione bis(isonicotinylhydrazone)

•New transition metal complexes of 2,5-butanedione bis(isonicotinylhydrazone).•XRD structure of 2,5-butanedione bis(isonicotinylhydrazone).•The antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes.

Metal complexes of the chloride, nitrate and acetate salts of Co(II), Ni(II) Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) or Hg(II) with 2,3-butanedione bis(isonicotinylhydrazone) [BBINH] have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystal of BBINH was solved to crystallize as monoclinic system with space group of P121/c14. The formulae of the complexes were assigned based on the elemental analysis and mass spectra. The formation of BBINH complexes depend on the metal anion used. All complexes are nonelectrolytes except for the complexes 2, 3, 4 are (1:1) and 13 and 14 which are 1:2 electrolytes. BBINH behaves as a neutral tetradentate (N2O2) in the chloride complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II). In [Co2(BBINH)(H2O)Cl3]Cl⋅H2O, BBINH has the same dentate but with the two Co(II) ions. In the acetate complexes, [Ni2(BBINH-2H)(H2O)2(OAc)2]⋅3H2O and [Cu2(BBINH-2H)(OAc)2]⋅5H2O, BBINH acts as a binegative tetradentate with the two metal ions. The ligand in the nitrate complexes acts as a neutral bidentate via the two hydrazone azomethine CNHy; the nitrate ions are ionic in the Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes and covalent in the Ni(II) complex. The data are supported by NMR (1H and 13C) spectra. The magnetic moments and electronic spectra of all complexes provide tetrahedral, square planar and/or octahedral structure. The decomposition of the complexes revealed the outer and inner solvents as well as the remaining residue based on TGA. The complexes have variable activities against some bacteria and fungi. The ligand is inactive against all tested organisms. The activity of Cd(II) and Hg(II) may be related to the geometry of the complexes.

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