Preparation, spectral studies, theoretical, electrochemical and antibacterial investigation of a new Schiff base and its some metal complexes

•1,6-Bis(2-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-4-chlorophenoxy)hexane was synthesized.•[CuL], [NiL], [CoL], [ZnL], [VLCl] complexes of the ligand were synthesized.•In addition theoretical 1H- NMR, HOMO–LUMO studies of the ligand were done.•Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the compounds were examined.

A new Schiff base ligand, 1,6-Bis(2-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-4-chlorophenoxy)hexane was synthesized. Some Schiff metal complexes of the new Schiff base were prepared by the reaction of some metal salts and the Schiff base. The complexes are non-electrolytes as shown by their molar conductivities (ΛM). The structures of metal complexes are proposed from elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–vis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity measurements, mass spectra and thermal gravimetric analysis. In addition theoretical 1H NMR, HOMO–LUMO studies of the ligand; antimicrobial and cyclic voltammetric studies of the compounds were also carried out. In this study antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the compounds were examined via in vitro methods.