Theoretical spectroscopic study of seven zinc(II) complex with macrocyclic Schiff-base ligand

•The agreement is found between experimental and theoretical results.•The optimized structures of zinc complexes are demonstrated by using structural parameters, IR and NMR spectra.•The UV–VIS spectrum of mentioned complexes are predicted and explained by using orbital character and transition character analysis.•Ranking of biological activity of relevant zinc complexes is predicted by using quantum chemical descriptors.

Seven zinc complexes, which are [ZnL1]2+, [ZnL2]2+, [ZnL3]2+, [ZnL4]2+, [ZnL5]2+, [ZnL6]2+ and [ZnL7]2+, are studied as theoretically. Structural parameters, vibration frequencies, electronic absorption spectra and 1H and 13C NMR spectra are obtained for Zn(II) complexes of macrocyclic penta and heptaaza Schiff-base ligand. Vibration spectra of Zn(II) complexes are studied by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ. The UV–VIS and NMR spectra of the zinc complexes are obtained by using Time Dependent-Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) method and Giao method, respectively. The agreements are found between experimental data of [ZnL5]2+, [ZnL6]2+ and [ZnL7]2+ complex ions and their calculated results. The geometries of complexes are found as distorted pentagonal planar for [ZnL1]2+, [ZnL2]2+ and [ZnL3]2+ complex ions, distorted tetrahedral for [ZnL4]2+ complex ion and distorted pentagonal bipyramidal for [ZnL5]2+, [ZnL6]2+ and [ZnL7]2+ complex ions. Ranking of biological activity is determined by using quantum chemical parameters and this ranking is found as: [ZnL7]2+ > [ZnL6]2+ > [ZnL5]2+ > [ZnL3]2+ > [ZnL2]2+ > [ZnL1]2+.

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