Nickel(II), copper(II), palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of bidentate SN ligands derived from S-alkyldithiocarbazates and the X-ray crystal structures of the [Ni(tasbz)2] and [Cu(tasbz)2] · CHCl3 complexes

New complexes of general empirical formula, [M(NS)₂] · nCHCl₃ (M = Ni^II, Cu^II, Pd^II or Pt^II; NS = anionic form of the thiophene-2-aldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazate; n = 0, 1) have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical techniques. Magnetic and spectroscopic evidence support a square-planar structure for these complexes. The crystal structures of the [Ni(tasbz)₂] and [Cu(tasbz)₂] · CHCl₃ complexes (tasbz = anionic form of the thiophene-2-aldehyde Schiff base of S-benzyldithiocarbazate) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Both complexes have a trans-planar structure in which the two Schiff base ligands are coordinated to the metal(II) ion as uninegatively charged bidentate ligands via the thiolate sulfur and the azomethine nitrogen atoms. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

N-多氟烷基取代和葡萄糖基取代的1,2,4-三唑-5-硫酮类席夫碱的合成及其杀虫活性

为改善三唑类化合物的生物活性, 以3-苯基-4-氨基-1,2,4-三唑-5-硫酮为原料, 将其与芳香醛在冰醋酸体系中反应, 得到3-苯基-4-芳基亚甲氨基-1,2,4-三唑-5-硫酮类席夫碱(4a～4i). 在此基础上, 化合物4a～4i分别与多氟烷基碘代烷和溴代乙酰基葡萄糖反应合成了一系列1,2,4-三唑-5-硫酮类席夫碱的多氟烷基取代物5a～5r和葡萄糖基取代物6a～6d, 并用¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, IR和MS谱以及元素分析表征了它们的结构. 初步生物活性测试结果表明, 部分目标化合物具有明显的杀虫活性.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of new 2-((1-furan-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono)-4-phenylthiazol-3(2H)-amine derivatives and their schiff bases with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde

Abstract

A new series of 2-((1-furan-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono)-4-substitutedphenylthiazol-3(2H)-amines (2a–2o) and their Schiff bases (3a–3o) from 4-nitrobenzaldehyde were synthesized. The chemical structures of all the synthesized compounds were confirmed by their IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. They were screened for their antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxic acivity of the most active antifungal compound (3o) and ketoconazole was determined in NIH/3T3 cells by MTT assay. Compound 2i (4-{3-Amino-2-[(1-(furan-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono]-2,3-dihydrothiazol-4-yl}phenol) showed the greatest antifungal activity among the newly synthesized derivatives. Schiff bases (3c-3n) displayed an undeniable fungicidal action against Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 as intense as the reference ketoconazole. In addition, the most active Schiff base 3o (2-[(1-(Furan-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono]-N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-4-(2,3,4-trichloro phenyl)thiazol-3(2H)-amine) showed the highest antifungal activity against both Candida krusei ATCC 6258 and Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019, and was as potent as ketoconazole. Moreover, compound 3o was found to be non-cytotoxic against NIH/3T3 cells.     

A new diamine containing disiloxane moiety and some derived Schiff bases: synthesis,structural characterisation and antimicrobial activity

A new siloxane diamine, 1,3-bis(amino-phenylene-ester-methylene)tetramethyldisiloxane (1), was obtained by a two-step procedure and used to prepare a series of Schiff bases (2–5), by reaction with different carbonylic compounds: salicylaldehyde, 3,5-dibromosalicylaldehyde, 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. All compounds, separated in crystalline form, were characterised by spectral (FTIR, UV–vis and NMR) analysis as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In these structures, different packing motifs occur depending on the different association degree determined by intra- and intermolecular π–π stacking interactions. Antimicrobial activity of the compounds was evaluated against three fungi and two bacteria, where the Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde and in special 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde showed remarkable activity.     

Binuclear and polynuclear transition metal complexes with macrocyclic ligands. 4. New polydentate azomethine ligands based on 2,5-diformylpyrrole and 2,6-diformylpyridine

The reactions of 2,5-diformylpyrrole (1) and 2,6-diformylpyridine (2) with propane-1,3-diamine afforded new macrocyclic Schiff"s bases 5 and 6, respectively. Their structures were established by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Binuclear copper(ii) and nickel(ii) complexes with ligand 5 were synthesized. Pentadentate Schiff"s base, viz., 2,6-bis[(2-aminophenylimino)methyl]pyridine, was prepared by demetallation of its complex with Cd(ClO₄)₂ using Na₂S. In solutions, the latter Schiff"s base is quantitatively transformed into 2,6-bis(benzoimidazolyl)pyridine under the action of atmospheric oxygen or other mild oxidizing agents.     

Schiff base supported mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes: Syntheses,structures and fluorescence cell imaging

Three mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes supported by Schiff bases have been synthesized. The complexes [(C₆H₅)₂Sn(L)] ( 1 ), [(t‐Bu)₂Sn(L)] ( 2 ) and [(t‐Bu)₂Sn(L')] ( 3 ) (L, L' = deprotonated Schiff bases) were obtained in good yield by the reaction of Schiff bases H ₂ L or H ₂ L′ with corresponding diorganotin dichlorides respectively. All newly synthesized complexes were characterized by means of FT‐IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR spectroscopy. In addition, single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses were employed to establish the solid state molecular structures of these complexes. The structures of 1 – 3 reveal that all complexes are mononuclear with a five‐coordinated tin(IV) centre in it. The absorption and emission properties of all complexes have been investigated. Moreover, cytotoxicity and fluorescence cell imaging studies of theses complexes have been performed.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and structural characterization of diphenyltin(IV) complexes of acetone Schiff bases of S-alkyldithiocarbazates

New diphenyltin(IV) complexes of empirical formula, [Sn(C₆H₅)₂(NS)Cl] (NS = anionic forms of the acetone Schiff bases of S-methyl or S-benzyldithiocarbazate) have been prepared and characterized by IR, NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques. The crystal and molecular structures of the acetone Schiff bases of S-methyldithiocarbazate (Hacsme) and S-benzyldithiocarbazate (Hacsbz) and their tin(IV) complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, both the Schiff bases exist in their thioketo tautomeric forms with the azomethine nitrogen atom trans to the thione sulfur atom but in the tin(IV) complexes they are present in their deprotonated ene-thiolate forms being coordinated to the tin atom as bidentate chelating agents via the azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur atoms. The tin atom adopts a five-coordinate, approximately trigonal bipyramidal geometry, with the thiolate sulfur atom of the Schiff base and the two phenyl groups occupying the equatorial positions. The azomethine nitrogen atom and the chlorine ligand occupy axial positions. The distortion from a regular trigonal bipyramidal or a square-pyramidal geometry is attributed to the restricted bite sizes of the five-membered chelate rings.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,and antimicrobial activities of Ni(II) and Fe(II) complexes with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-nitrosalicylaldimine

Metal complexes [Ni(HL1)₂H₂O] (1) and [Fe(HL1)₂] (2), where HL1 is the tridentate Schiff base N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-nitrosalicylaldimine, were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single crystal diffraction at 100?K. Complexes 1 and 2 have a distorted octahedral geometry. The ligand and metal complexes were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities by the disk diffusion, microdilution broth, and single spore culture techniques. Antimicrobial activities of the ligand and its complexes have been tested against 10 bacteria, two yeast, and five filamentous fungi. The ligand and metal complexes were found to be active against all tested micro-organisms.     

Nickel(II) complexes of tridentate anthracene based Schiff bases: syntheses,properties and crystal structures

The crystal and molecular structures of Ni(II) complexes with two tridentate anthracene-containing Schiff bases are reported. The Schiff bases were prepared by condensation of 9-anthraldehyde with diethylenetriamine (adien) and with dipropylenetriamine (adipn). Complexes synthesized from Ni(O₂CCH₃)₂·4H₂O and the ligands (1?:?1 mol ratio) crystallize from methanol as [Ni(adien)(O₂CCH₃)₂(H₂O)] (1) and [Ni(adipn)(O₂CCH₃)₂]·2CH₃OH (2·2CH₃OH) in space groups P2₁/n and P2₁2₁2₁, respectively. In 1, the distorted octahedral N₃O₃ coordination sphere around the metal ion is formed by the meridional N₃-donor adien, two mutually trans unidentate acetates and one water molecule. The N₃O₃ coordination sphere constituted by the N₃-donor adipn, one unidentate acetate and one bidentate acetate in 2 can be best described as trigonal bipyramidal. The secondary amine-N of adipn, the O-atom of the unidentate acetate and the midpoint of the two O-atoms of the bidentate acetate occupy the three equatorial positions and two imine-N atoms of adipn lie in axial sites. In the crystal lattice, molecules of 1 exist as discrete dimers due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. In contrast, self-assembly of 2 via intermolecular π–π interactions leads to a one-dimensional supramolecular structure.     

Stereocontrol of the Schiff Base of Substituted Benzaldehyde to Staudinger Cycloaddition Reaction

Syntheses of 4 novel chiral azetidin-2-one derivatives,which were characterized by ^1H NMR,IR,specific rotation and elemental analysis,through Staudinger cycloaddition reaction of Schiff base of benzaldehyde with chlorine substitution at different position in benzene ring,were described.For the first time,this type of 3S,4R configuration azetidin-2-one monocrystals with many chiral centers [(3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-N-[(S)-(1-phenyl)ethyl]-4-(2‘‘-chlorophenyl)-azetidin-2-one monocrystal]were obtained,the structures of which were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.The effects of Schiff base of benzaldehyde with chlorine substitution at different position in benzene ring on stereoselectivity of Staudinger cycloaddition reaction products were discussed and the results are showed as below:2-chlorophenyl Schiff base favored to yield 3S,4R configuration product,but 4-chlorophenyl Schiff base favored to yield 3R,4S configuration product.The reaction orientation of 2,4-dichlorophenyl Schiff base was determined by corporate effect of 2- and 4-chlorine,and that of the 4-chlorine was more obvious.In contrast to 4-chlorophenyl,although the main product was 3R,4S configuration,3-chlorophenyl owned lower selectivity.     

Synthesis,characterization, CT-DNA binding and docking studies of novel selenated ligands and their palladium complexes

A novel selenated Schiff base (S) -L ¹ H has been synthesized from (2S)-1-(benzylselanyl)-3-phenylpropan-2-amine which upon reduction formed a reduced Schiff base (S) -L ² H . Palladium (II) complexes (S) -1 and (S) -2 of ligands (S) -L ¹ H and (S) -L ² H respectively were successfully synthesized. The structures of all four compounds were thoroughly identified by analytical and various spectroscopic techniques. The absolute molecular structures of the above two complexes were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both (S) -L ¹ H and (S) -L ² H coordinated as monobasic ((S) -L ^1–2 ), chelating, tridentate (Se,N,O⁻) ligands resulting in the complexes of composition (S) - [PdCl( L ^1/2 )] [(S) -1/2 ]. In the crystals of complexes (S) -1 and (S) -2 , there were moderate to strong Se⋯O, CH⋯Cl and CH⋯O types of intermolecular secondary interactions. CT-DNA binding activity of these selenium-containing ligands and their palladium complexes bearing a Pd–Se bond have been evaluated for the first time by performing electronic absorption titration and fluorescence emission quenching using CT-DNA-EB and viscometric experiments. These ligands and complexes exhibited remarkable DNA binding activity as shown by their intrinsic DNA binding constants (K_b) and Stern–Volmer constants (K_sv) in the ranges 5.2–9.9 × 10⁴ and 3.6–4.7 × 10⁴, respectively. The viscosity of CT-DNA decreases with increasing concentration of these compounds. The results of the DNA-binding studies revealed that all of the compounds interact with DNA at a minor groove which was further confirmed by molecular docking studies.     

Preparation and characterization of Cu(II)-N-salicylideneanthranilic acids,their reduction products and hydrolysis of the Schiff base

Copper (II) complexes ofN-salicylideneanthranilic acid (I) and its derivatives (II, III) as well as their NaBH₄ reduction products, namelyN-(2-hydroxybenzyl) anthranilic acids (IV–VI) have been prepared and their structures have been determined analytically. Tetracoordinated planar structures of the Cu(II) complexes of the Schiff bases and distorted tetrahedral structures of the Cu(II) complexes of compoundsV–VI have been elucidated by ESR and other spectral methods. During the preparation of the complex the hydrolysis of the Schiff base often takes place in the presence of water giving anthranilates and salicylaldehydates of metals to some extent along with the complexes of the Schiff base. The kinetic data for the hydrolysis ofN-salicylideneanthranilic acid (I) in methanol-water solution also are reported.Presented at the Sixth International Seminar on Inclusion Compounds, Istanbul, Turkey, 27–31 August, 1995.     

Structural,spectroscopic, and biological aspects of S∩N donor Schiff-base ligands and their chromium(III) complexes

New chromium(III) complexes are synthesized by classical thermal and microwave (MW)-irradiated techniques. The Schiff bases 2-acetylfuran-S-benzyldithiocarbazate (L¹H), 2-acetylthiophene-S-benzyldithiocarbazate (L²H), 2-acetylpyridine-S-benzyldithiocarbazate (L³H), and 2-acetylnaphthalene-S-benzyldithiocarbazate (L⁴H) were prepared by condensation of -S-benzyldithiocarbazate in ethanol with the respective ketones by using MW as well as conventional methods. The chromium(III) complexes have been prepared by mixing CrCl₃ · 6H₂O in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 molar ratios with monofunctional bidentate ketimines. The structure of the ligands and their transition metal complexes were confirmed by elemental analysis, melting point determinations, molecular weight determinations, infrared (IR), electronic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral, and X-ray powder diffraction studies. On the basis of these studies it is clear that the ligands coordinated to the metal atom in a monobasic bidentate mode by S∩N donors. Thus, an octahedral environment around the chromium(III) has been proposed. The growth inhibiting potential of the ligands and complexes has been assessed against a variety of fungal and bacterial strains.     

The Preparation, Characterization and Biological Activity of Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes of Tridentate NNS Ligands Derived from S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates and the X-ray Crystal Structure of the [Pd(mpasme)Cl] Complex

New complexes of general formula, [M(NNS)Cl] (M = Pd^II, Pt^II; NNS = anionic forms of the 6-methyl-2-formylpyridine Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates) have been prepared and characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. Based on conductance and spectral evidence, a square-planar structure is assigned to these complexes. The crystal and molecular structure of the [Pd(mpasme)Cl] complex (mpasme=anionic form of the 6-methyl-2-formylpyridine Schiff base of S-methyldithiocarbazate) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex has a distorted square-planar geometry with the ligand coordinated to the palladium(II) ion via the pyridine nitrogen atom, the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thiolate sulfur atom; the fourth coordination position around the palladium(II) ion is occupied by the chloride ligand. The distortion from a regular square-planar geometry is ascribed to the restricted bite angle of the ligand. Both the Schiff bases exhibit strong cytotoxicity against the human ovarian cancer (Caov-3) cell lines, the S-methyl derivative being two times more active than the S-benzyl derivative. The [Pt(mpasme)Cl] complex is moderately active but the palladium(II) complex is weakly active against this cancer. None of the complexes of Hmpsbz are active against Caov-3. The Schiff base, Hmpasme exhibits moderate activity against the bacteria, MRSA, P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium but is inactive against B. subtilis. Coordination of the ligand with palladium(II) substantially reduces its activity. The Schiff base, Hmpasbz and its palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes are inactive against these bacteria. The Schiff bases and their palladium(II) and platinum (II) complexes are inactive against the pathogenic fungi, C. albican, Aspergillus ochraceous and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Syntheses,spectroscopy, and X-ray structures of 3-{(R)-(Ar)-ethylimino}-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Ar = Ph,MeOC6H4, BrC6H4, 1-naphthyl) and [Rh(η4-cod){3-((R)-(Ar)-ethylimino)-3H-indol-2-olato}]

Condensation of 1H-indole-2,3-dione (isatin) with (R)-(Ar)-ethylamines gives enantiopure Schiff bases, 3-{(R)-(Ar)-ethylimino}-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (HL) {Ar?=?Ph (HL1), 2-MeOC₆H₄ (HL2), 4-MeOC₆H₄ (HL3), 4-BrC₆H₄ (HL4), and 1-naphthyl (HL5)}. The Schiff bases readily coordinate to [Rh(μ-O₂CMe)(η⁴-cod)]₂ (cod?=?1,5-cyclooctadiene) to give mononuclear [Rh(η⁴-cod){3-((R)-(Ar)-ethylimino)-3H-indol-2-olato}] {Ar?=?Ph (1), 4-MeOC₆H₄ (2), and 4-BrC₆H₄ (3)}, respectively. The Schiff bases and complexes have been fully characterized by IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, mass, and circular dichroism (CD) spectrometry. Polarimetry and CD measurements show the enantiopurity of the Schiff bases as well as the complexes. ¹H NMR measurements reveal slow conversion of the lactam to the enol form of the Schiff bases in solution. In the solid state the lactam form dominates as shown by crystal structures of HL1 and HL4. While gross structural features of both are similar, the molecules differ significantly in the relative orientations of the aryl and lactam rings. The difference is mostly rotation about the N2–C9 bond with different C8–N2–C9–C11 torsion angle of +89.77(12)° for HL1 and C2–N2–C9–C11 of +106.8(3)° for HL4.     

New complexes of Ni(II) and Cu(II) with Schiff bases functionalised with 1,3,4-thiadiazole: spectral,magnetic, biological and thermal characterisation

Schiff bases obtained by the condensation of 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole with 2,4-pentandione or 1-phenyl-1,3-butandione were synthesized and characterized in order to obtain polydentate ligands HL¹ and HL², respectively. The complexes with these ligands of the type M(L)Cl·nH₂O [(1) M:Ni, L:L¹, n = 0.5; (3) M:Ni, L:L², n = 0.5]; [(2) M:Cu, L:L¹, n = 1; (4) M:Cu, L:L², n = 0] were also synthesized and characterized. The modifications evidenced in IR spectra of complexes were correlated with the presence of monodeprotonate Schiff bases. The electronic spectra display the characteristic pattern of square-planar stereochemistry. The in vitro qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial activity assays showed that the new complexes exhibited variable antimicrobial activity. The thermal analyses have evidenced the thermal intervals of stability and also the thermodynamic effects that accompany them. Schiff bases and complexes have a similar thermal behaviour. Processes as water elimination, melting, chloride anion removal as well as oxidative degradation of the organic ligands were observed.     

Structures of o-hydroxy Schiff-base copper(II) complexes derived from p-benzylamines

Nine copper(II) complexes of o-hydroxy Schiff bases derived from benzylamine, p-methoxybenzylamine, p-nitrobenzylamine, salicylaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthalenecarboxaldehyde, and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthalenecarboxaldehyde were synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, mass spectrometry, UV-Vis, infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and seven X-ray crystal structures. The X-ray diffraction studies of these compounds showed that the geometry around the copper is square planar in six of the seven complexes. EPR studies of all the complexes in DMF solution at 77 K suggest that their geometries in solution are square planar as well.     

Synthesis and characterization of pentagonal bipyramidal organotin(IV) complexes of 2,6-diacetylpyridine Schiff bases of S-alkyl- and aryldithiocarbazates

New organotin(IV) complexes with empirical formula Sn(SNNNS)R₂, where SNNNS is the dianionic form of 2,6-diacetylpyridine Schiff bases of S-methyldithiocarbazate (H₂dapsme) or S-benzyldithiocarbazate (H₂dapsbz) and R = Ph or Me, have been prepared and characterized by IR, UV-Vis, NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques and conductance measurements. The molecular structures of the Sn(dapsme)R₂ (R = Ph and Me) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both complexes have a distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry in which the tin is coordinated by a dinegatively charged pentadentate chelating agent via pyridine nitrogen, two azomethine nitrogens, and two thiolate sulfurs. The five donors (N₃S₂) provided by the Schiff base occupy the equatorial plane close to a pentagonal planar array while the carbanion ligands occupy axial sites.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antioxidant activity of heterocyclic Schiff bases

Schiff base derivatives have gained great importance due to revealing a great number of biological properties. Schiff bases were synthesized by treatment of 4-amino-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 1 ) with various aldehydes in methanol at reflux. In addition, diamine was reacted with an aldehyde to yield the corresponding Schiff bases. The structures of synthesized Schiff bases were elucidated by spectroscopic methods such as microanalysis, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and FTIR. Antioxidant activities of synthesized Schiff bases were carried out using different antioxidant assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH^•) scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, and reducing power activity. (E)-4-((1H-indol-3-yl)methyleneamino)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 3 ), (E)-1,5-dimethyl-4-((2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methyleneamino)-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 5 ), (E)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4-(thiophen-2-ylmethyleneamino)-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 7 ), (E)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4-(quinolin-2-ylmethyleneamino)-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 9 ), (1S,2S,N1,N2)-N1,N2-bis((1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine ( 11 ), and (1S,2S,N1,N2)-N1,N2-bis((2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine ( 12 ) were synthesized in high yields. Compound 5 displayed a good ABTS^•+ activity. Compound 3 revealed the outstanding activity in all assays. Compound 7 has the best-reducing power ability in comparison to other synthesized compounds. Although compounds 5, 11, 12 are new, compounds 3, 7, 9 are known. Due to revealing a good antioxidant activity, the synthesized compounds ( 3, 5, 7 ) have the potential to be used as synthetic antioxidant agents.     

Spectral,magnetic, biological,and thermal studies of metal(II) complexes of some unsymmetrical Schiff bases

New nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with unsymmetrical Schiff bases derived from aromatic 2-hydroxy aldehydes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, melting points, ¹H-NMR, magnetic susceptibility, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR), and electronic spectral measurements. Comparison of IR spectra of the Schiff bases and their metal complexes indicated that the Schiff bases are tetradentate, coordinated via the two azomethine nitrogens and the two phenolic oxygens. Magnetic moments and electronic spectral data confirm square-planar geometry for the complexes. Thermal studies reveal a general decomposition pattern, whereby the complexes decomposed partially in a single step due to loss of part of the organic moiety. A single endothermic profile, corresponding to melting point, was observed from the DSC of all complexes, except those whose ligand contained the nitro group, which decomposed exothermally without melting. The Schiff bases and their complexes were screened in vitro against 10 human pathogenic bacteria. The metal(II) complexes exhibited higher antibacterial activity than their corresponding Schiff bases.