Structure, photophysics, electrochemistry, DFT calculation, and in-vitro antioxidant activity of coumarin Schiff base complexes of Group 6 metal carbonyls

N-[(2-Pyridyl)methyliden]-6-coumarin (L) is synthesized by the condensation of 6-aminocoumarin and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde. Group-6 tetracarbonyl complexes, [M(CO)4(L)] (M = Cr, Mo, and W) are synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR, FT–IR and UV-visible spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structure of [Cr(CO)4(L)] shows N(pyridine), N(imine) chelation to chromium(0). A supramolecular chain is formed by C–H⋯O and π⋯π interactions. The ligand and the complexes are fluorescent. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes exhibit quasireversible M(I)/M(0) redox couple. The complexes exhibit potential antioxidant property both in cell free and in-vitro studies and highest activity is observed to [W(CO)4(L)]. Density functional theory (DFT) computation has been performed to correlate with the electronic configuration, composition of wave functions with the UV-visible spectra and redox properties.

Graphical abstract[M(CO)4 L] (M = Cr, Mo, and W) are described (L = N-[(2-pyridyl)methyliden]-6-coumarin). X-ray structure of [Cr(CO)4 L] reveals the distorted octahedral geometry. The ligand and the complexes are fluorescent. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes exhibit quasireversible M(I)/M(0) redox couple. The complexes show cell free and in-vitro antioxidant property and highest activity is observed to [W(CO)4 L].Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide