Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of methyl-5-(Phenylthio) benzimidazole-2-carbamate: Molecular structures, spectral and DFT calculations

•Structures of benzimidazole-2-carbamate complexes were studied.•Electronic structures were assigned by the aid of TD-DFT calculations.•Three-step ionization constants were reported.•Hybridization, electronic arrangements and M–L interactions were discussed.

[Co(FBZ)2(H2O)]·2NO3·0.5H2O (1), [Ni(FBZ)2X2]·zH2O (X = Cl​−, z = 0.5 (2) and X = CH3COO−, z = 1 (3)) and [Cu(FBZ)2(H2O) (NO3)]·NO3·1.5H2O (4) (FBZ = methyl-5-(Phenylthio) benzimidazole-2-carbamate; Fenbendazole) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, thermal, IR, EPR, UV–Vis, magnetic and conductance measurements. Geometry optimization, molecular electrostatic potential maps and natural bond orbital analysis were carried out at DFT/B3LYP/6-31G∗ level of theory. FBZ behaves as a neutral bidentate ligand via the pyridine-type nitrogen of the benzimidazole moiety and the carbamate group. Three-step ionization with pKa values of 3.38, 4.06 and 10.07 were reported for FBZ. The coordination of FBZ to the metal ions led to an increase in the antibacterial activity against the tested Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria.

Graphical abstractStructural, spectroscopic and thermal properties of new methyl-5-(Phenylthio) benzimidazole-2-carbamate metal complexes have been studied both experimentally and theoretically and are correlated here.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide