Synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity of copper (II) complexes of sterically hindered o-diphenol derivatives

Cu (II) complexes with 3,5-di(tert-butyl)-1,2-benzenediol (I), 4,6-di(tert-butyl)-1,2,3-benzentriol (II) and sulfur-containing sterically hindered o-diphenol derivatives such as 4,6-di(tert-butyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl)-1,2-benzenediol (III) and 2-[4,6-di(tert-butyl)-2,3-dihydroxyphenylsulfanyl]acetic acid (IV) have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, TG/DTA, FT-IR, ESR, XPS, XPD and conductivity measurements. Antifungal activities of these ligands and their respective Cu (II) complexes have been determined against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium lividum, Mucor sp. and Botrytis cinerea. Most of the compounds (both the free ligands and the complexes) exert pronounced antifungal activities (RI ⩾ 70%), and virtually all of them (apart from the Cu(LII)2 complex) have the highest inhibitory properties (RI = 100%) against B. cinerea.

Graphical abstractCu(II) complexes with sterically hindered o-diphenol derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis and various physico-chemical techniques. The antifungal activities of all the compounds were tested against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium lividum, Mucor sp. and Botrytis cinerea.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide