Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and antibacterial studies of lanthanide(III) Schiff base complexes containing N, O donor atoms

•Various Ln(III) complexes of the type [LnL(NO3)2(H2O)]·NO3 have been synthesized.•Complexes are characterized by spectral techniques and screened for fluorescence nature.•Study on antibacterial effect of rare earth Schiff base complexes have made.

A series of six Ln(III) Schiff base complexes, Pr(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Er(III) and Yb(III), were synthesized using sodium salt of Schiff base, 2-[(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-amino]-3-hydroxy-propionic acid, derived from l-serine and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde. These complexes having general formula [Ln(L)(NO3)2(H2O)]·NO3 were characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, UV–Vis, FT-IR, mass spectrometry and fluorescence studies. Elemental analysis and conductivity measurements suggest the complexes have a 1:1 stoichiometry. From the spectral studies it has been concluded that Ln(III) complexes display eight coordination. The Schiff base and its Ln(III) metal complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial activities by Agar diffusion method.

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