Synthesis,properties, and crystal structures of mononuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with 2-oximino-3-thiosemicarbazone-2,3-butanedione

The tridentate ligand 2-Oximino-3-thiosemicarbazone-2,3-butanedione (Hotsb) reacts with MCl₂ (M = Ni²⁺ or Cu²⁺) to give rise to the mononuclear complexes [Ni(Hotsb)₂]Cl₂ · H₂O (1) and [Cu(Hotsb)Cl₂] · H₂O (2). These complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The nickel(II) ion in (1) is in a six-coordinate octahedral environment being bonded to the two protonated tridentate ligands which occupy mer positions. The copper(II) ion in (2) is in a five-coordinate square-pyramidal geometry, in which the basal plane is made up the two nitrogens, sulfur, and chloride atom, while the other chloride atom is coordinated at the axial position. The cyclic voltammogram of the complexes displays two one-electron waves corresponding to M^II/M^III and M^II/M^I processes. The electronic as well as infrared spectral properties of the title complexes are reported and discussed.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structure of cobalt(II) complex with 2-oximino-3-thiosemicarbazone-2,3-butanedione

The reaction of cobalt(II) chloride with the tridentate ligand 2-oximino-3-thiosemicarbazone-2,3-butanedione [Hotsb (1)] leads to the formation of the novel six-coordinated complex [Co(otsb)₂]·2H₂O (2). This complex has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric measurements. The ligand Hotsb (1) obtained by the condensation of 2,3-butanedione monoxime and thiosemicarbazide is used for the preparation of complex 2. The Hotsb (1) crystallizes into a monoclinic lattice with space group P2₁/c. The crystal structure of 2 shows a distorted mer-octahedral geometry in which the ligands are coordinated as uninegatively charged tridentate chelating agents via the hydrazine nitrogen atoms, the azomethine nitrogen atoms, and the thiolate sulfur atoms. The cyclic voltammogram of 2 undergoes two irreversible one-electron waves corresponding to Co^II/Co^III and Co^II/Co^I processes.     

Heterometallic compounds with the binuclear complex anion [Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)(Ac)(Nta)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>2−</Superscript>: Synthesis and structure

Heterometallic compounds BaCr₂(OH)(Ac)(Nta)₂ · 4H₂O (I) and [Fe(L)₃][Cr₂(OH)(Ac)(Nta)₂] · nH₂O (L is Bipy (II) and Phen (III); Bipy is, αα′-bipyridine, Phen is o,o′-phenanthroline, Ac⁻ is acetate ion, Nta is nitrilotriacetate ion; n = 8 (II) and 6.25 (III)) are synthesized. According to the X-ray diffraction data, compounds II and III have ionic structures built of the isolated complex cations [Fe(L)₃]²⁺, binuclear complex anions [Cr₂(OH)(Ac)(Nta)₂]²⁻, and crystallization water molecules. The magnetic properties of compounds II and III in the interval from 2 to 300 K confirm assumptions on the diamagnetic character of [Fe(L)₃]²⁺ and indicate the antiferromagnetic interaction between the chromium atoms in the dimeric fragment [Cr₂(OH)(Ac)(Nta)₂]²⁻.     

Synthesis and characterization of CuII and CoII complexes derived from 2,4,6-tri-(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TPT) by chemical and tribochemical reactions

Four Cu^II and Co^II complexes–[Cu(L₁)Cl₂(H₂O)]3/2H₂O · 1/2EtOH, [Cu(L₁)₂Cl₂]6H₂O, [Co(L₁)Cl₂]3H₂O · EtOH, and [Co₂(L₁)(H₂O)Cl₄]1.5H₂O · EtOH (L₁ = 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine; TPT)–were synthesized by conventional chemical method and used to synthesize another four metal complexes–[Cu(L₁)I₂(H₂O)]6H₂O, [Cu(L₁)₂I₂]6H₂O, [Co(L₁)I(H₂O)₂]I · 2H₂O, and [Co₂(L₁)I₄(H₂O)₃]–using tribochemical reaction, by grinding it with KI. Substitution of chloride by iodide occurred, but no reduction for Cu^II or oxidation of Co^II. Oxidation of Co^II to Co^III complexes was only observed on the dissolution of Co^II complexes in d₆-DMSO in air while warming. The isolated solid complexes (Cu^II and Co^II) have been characterized by elemental analyses, conductivities, spectral (IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR), thermal measurements (TGA), and magnetic measurements. The values of molar conductivities suggest non-electrolytes in DMF. The metal complexes are paramagnetic. IR spectra indicate that TPT is tridentate coordinating via the two pyridyl nitrogens and one triazine nitrogen forming two five-membered rings around the metal in M : L complexes and bidentate via one triazine nitrogen and one pyridyl nitrogen in ML₂ complexes. In binuclear complexes, L is tridentate toward one Co^II and bidentate toward the second Co^II in [Co₂(L₁)Cl₄]2.5H₂O · EtOH and [Co₂(L₁)I₄(H₂O)₃]. Electronic spectra and magnetic measurements suggest a distorted-octahedral around Cu^II and high-spin octahedral and square-pyramidal geometry around Co^II.     

Antitumor activity of manganese(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of 2-acetylpyridine schiff bases derived from S-methyldithiocarbazate: Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structure of the manganese(II) complex of 2-acetylpyridine S-methyldithiocarbazate

Transition metal complexes [Mn(L)₂] (I) and [Co(L)₂] · (ClO₄) · H₂O (II), where HL = 2-acetylpyridine S-methyldithiocarbazate, have been synthesized. Complex I was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The manganese(II) atom in complex I adopts a distorted octahedral geometry with the Schiff base coordinated to it as a uninegatively charged tridentate chelating agent via the pyridine and azomethine nitrogen atoms and the thiolate sulfur atom. Biological studies carried out in vitro against K562 leukemia cancer cell line have shown that the free ligand and its metal complexes exhibited significant and different antitumor activity, since they exhibit IC₅₀ values in the μM range.     

Structural diversity controlled by alkali/alkaline earth metals for heterometallic AeI/AeII-ZnII coordination polymers based on 4-nitrobenzene-1,2-dicarboxylate

Six heterometallic Zn(II) coordination polymers, Zn(H₂O)₃(FNA) (1), [NH₄]₂[Zn(H₂O)₂(FNA)₂] (2), [ZnNa₂(FNA)₂]·3H₂O (3), [ZnK₂(FNA)₂]·H₂O (4), [ZnRb₂(FNA)₂]·2H₂O (5) and [ZnMg(FNA)₂]·4H₂O (6) (H₂FNA = 4-nitrobenzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid), were synthesised by introducing different alkali/alkaline earth (Ae^I/Ae^II) metals. These complexes exhibit diverse structures with the different Ae^I/Ae^II metals used and distinct ligand coordination modes the ions provide. For 1 and 2, the Zn(II) centres with distorted octahedra are connected by FNA to form 1-D chain structures. The Zn(II) centres in 3–6 with distorted tetrahedra are linked by FNA to form 2-D anionic grid layers. For 3–5, these 2-D anionic grid layers are connected by alkali metal (Na, K and Rb) with the O–Ae^I–O connectivity to exhibit 3-D framework structures, while 6 features a 2-D Zn–Mg network. Luminescence properties of 1–6 have been investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of three ionic pairs of Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes with tridentate salicylideneglycine

Three new transition metal complexes, [Fe^II(H₂O)₆][(C₉H₇NO₃)₂Fe^II] · H₂O (1), H[K(H₂O)₃][(C₉H₇NO₃)₂Co^II] · H₂O (2), and [Co^II(H₂O)₆][(C₉H₇NO₃)₂Co^II] · H₂O (3), with salicylideneglycine have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The structure analyses indicate that the tridentate salicylideneglycine binds through aliphatic nitrogen, phenoxy, and carboxylic oxygen in the anion. There are many inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds among lattice water, the anion, and the cation to form a 3-D network. The thermogravimetric analyses and the quantum chemistry calculations of compounds 1, 2, and 3 are also discussed.     

Organic acid effect on the structures of Cd(II) metal-organic complexes based on 2-(3-pyridyl)imidazo[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>]-1,10-phenanthroline

Three new Cd(II) complexes consisting of phenanthroline derivative and organic acid ligands, formulated as [Cd₃(3-PIP)₂(L¹)₆] (I), [Cd(3-PIP)(L²)] · H₂O (II), and [Cd(3-PIP)(L³)] (III) (3-PIP = 2-(3-pyridyl)imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline, HL¹ = 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, H₂L² = oxalic acid, H₂L³ = benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid), have been synthesized via the hydrothermal reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses and FT-IR spectra. Complex I is a trinuclear structure. Complex II features a 1D zigzag chain. Complex III shows a twisted double chain of binuclear units sustained by double carboxylate bridges. Three complexes are further extended into 3D supramolecular frameworks by hydrogen bonding and π-π-stacking interactions. The structural differences among I–III show that the organic carboxylates have important effects on the structures. Furthermore, the supramolecular interactions are the critical factors in determining the final structures of the complexes. In addition, the thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of complexes I and II are also investigated.     

Synthesis and structure of cobalt α-dioximate complexes with isonicotinamide

New cobalt trans-dioximate complexes with isoniconinamide have been synthesized: [Co^II(DmgH)₂(Inia)₂] (I), [Co^III(DmgH)₂(Inia)₂][PF₆] · 1.5H₂O (II), [Co^III(NioxH)₂ (Inia)₂][PF₆] · H₂O · CH₃OH (III), and [CoIIICl(DmgH)₂(Inia)] · H₂O (IV), where DmgH⁻ and NioxH⁻ are the dimeth-ylglyoxime and 1,2-cyclohexanedionedioxime monoanions, respectively; Inia is the isonicotinamide molecule. The structures of compounds I–IV have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In I–IV, Co(II) or Co(III) has an octahedral environment with the pseudomacrocyclic (DioxH⁻)₂ moiety (DioxH⁻ is the dioximate monoanion) in the equatorial plane. The latter is stabilized by O-H…O hydrogen bonds. The isonicotinamide molecules in all four complexes are monodentately bound to the metal ion through the heterocyclic nitrogen atom.     

Thiocarbamide derivatives of europium,holmium, and erbium iodides: Synthesis and structures

Data on the synthesis, IR spectra, and X-ray diffraction analysis of the thiocarbamide complexes of europium, holmium, and erbium iodides, [Ln(H₂O)₉]I₃ · 2CS(NH₂)₂ (Ln = Eu (I), Ho(II), Er (III)), are presented. The crystal structures of the complexes contain nonaaqualanthanide cations (the polyhedron shape is a monocapped tetragonal antiprism), outer-sphere thiocarbamide molecules, and uncoordinated iodide ions. The thiocarbamide molecules form hydrogen bonds with the aqua cations and join them into continuous layers or network ensembles. The thiocarbamide molecules are disordered in the crystal structures of complexes II and III.     

Supramolecular architectures with ladder and lamellar topologies using metal-ligand coordination units via C–H···Cl and O–H···Cl hydrogen bonding

New Mn^II/Cu^II/Zn^II complexes [(L¹)MnCl₂] (1), [(L²)CuCl₂]·0.5H₂O (2) and [(L²)ZnCl(H₂O)][ClO₄] (3), containing (2-pyridyl)alkylamine ligands, N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L¹) and methyl[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L²), have been prepared and characterized, including X-ray crystallography. The most striking feature of the structures of these complexes is the formation of molecular ladder and lamellar topology through the crystal packing arrangement, determined by both strong O–H···Cl and weak (however, multiple) C–H···Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions, to maintain the neutral/cationic metal-ligand coordination units linked to each other. In 3, additional secondary interactions are observed involving coordinated solvent and the counter-ion. The results presented here demonstrate that (i) the choice of organic ligands to provide flexibility and inherent potential to participate in hydrogen-bonding interactions, (ii) the coordination geometry preferences of metal ions, (iii) the number of metal-bound chloride ion and (iv) the presence of solvent/counter-anion have a great influence on supramolecular network topology.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of cobalt(III) α-dioximates with pyrazine

A series of new coordination compounds of cobalt(III) trans-dioximates with pyrazine [CoCl(DH)₂Pz] · H₂O (I), [CoBr(DH)₂Pz] · H₂O (II), [Co(DH)₂Pz₂]NO₃ · H₂O (III), [Co(DH)₂Pz₂][BF₄] (IV), [Co(MgH)₂Pz₂][BF₄] (V), and [Co(NioxH)₂Pz₂][BF₄] (VI), where DH, MgH, and NioxH are dimethylglyoxime, methylglyoxime, and 1,2-cyclohexanedionedioxime monoanions, respectively, Pz is a pyrazine molecule were synthesized. The structures of compounds I, II, and VI were determined by X-ray diffraction. The Co(III) environment in these compounds is octahedral and the pseudomacrocyclic (DioxH⁻)₂ fragment occurs in the equatorial plane. This fragment is stabilized by O-H…O hydrogen bonds. The neutral Pz ligand is monodentate in all three compounds.     

Protonated Co(III) Complexes with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic and S-Proline-N-Mono-3-propionic Acids. Crystal Structures of (H3O)[Co(HEdta)(CN)] · H2O and [Co(Promp)(HPromp)] · H2O

Crystal structures of [Co(Promp)(Hpromp)] · H₂O (I) (where Promp and Hpromp are deprotonated and monoprotonated anions of S-proline-N-mono-3-propionic acid) and (H₃O)[Co(Hedta)(CN)] · H₂O (II) (where HEdta is monoprotonated anion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) are determined by X-ray diffraction method. The Co coordination octahedron in compound I is formed by two N atoms in trans-positions and by four O atoms of two tridentate ligands, i.e., anions of H₂Promp acid, one of which is fully deprotonated, while the other one has protonated carboxyl group of a six-membered aminopropionate metal cycle. Neutral [Co(Promp)(Hpromp)] complexes and water molecules are united by hydrogen bonds into chains along 2₁ screw axis. Crystals II consist of the complex anions [Co(Hedta)(CN)]⁻, hydroxonium cations, and water molecules. The Co coordination octahedron includes two N atoms and three O atoms of ion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, whose one acetate group is not coordinated but protonated; cyanide ion lies in the NCoN plane. Crystals II contain two types of H₃O⁺ ions that are involved in hydrogen bonds in different way.__________Translated from Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 8, 2005, pp. 596–605.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Poznyak, Burshtein.     

NICKEL(II) COMPLEXES OF TRIDENTATE N,N,O-DONOR LIGANDS: SYNTHESES,STRUCTURES AND REDOX PROPERTIES

Abstract

Nickel(II) complexes ([NiL₂]) of tridentate Schiff bases (HL) containing amide functionality are described. The Schiff bases, Hpabh and Hpamh (H refers to the dissociable amide proton), are derived from 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and benzhydrazide, and 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and 4-methoxybenzhydrazide, respectively. The reaction of two equivalents of HL and one equivalent of Ni(O₂CCH₃)₂ · 4H₂O in methanol affords [NiL₂] in high yield. The complexes are characterised by analytical, spectroscopic, magnetic and electrochemical techniques. The structures of both complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The distorted octahedral NiN₄O₂ sphere in each complex is assembled by the two meridional N,N,O-donor ligands. Each ligand binds the metal ion via the pyridine-N, imine-N and deprotonated amine-O atoms. The solid state room temperature (298 K) magnetic moments are consistent with a d ⁸ (S = 1) ground state electronic configuration. Electronic spectra of the complexes in CH₃CN solutions display the v ₁ band at ～ 850 nm followed by charge transfer bands in the range 381–241 nm. The [Ni^IIIL₂]⁺-[Ni^IIL₂] couple was observed in the cyclic voltammograms of both complexes. The potentials are 0.97 and 0.91 V (versus Ag-AgCl) for [Ni(pabh)₂] and [Ni(pamh)₂], respectively.     

Trigonal (-3) symmetry octahedral lanthanide(III) complexes of zwitterionic tripodal ligands: luminescence and magnetism

Sandwich coordination complexes, [Ln^III(H₃L)₂]X₃?solvents, of Tb(III), Eu(III), Dy(III), Ho(III) and Er(III) were prepared with two new zwitterionic ester-substituted tripodal amine ligands, tris((2-hydroxy-5-n-butyl benzoate)aminoethyl)-amine (H₃L¹) and tris((2-hydroxy-5-methyl benzoate)aminoethyl)-amine (H₃L²). These ligands were synthesised by condensation of the appropriately substituted salicylaldehyde with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) followed by in situ reduction of the tris-imine to tris-amine. Subsequent 2:1 reaction with lanthanide(III) ions yields [Ln^III(H₃L)₂]X₃?solvents (L = L¹, L²; X = Cl^?, NO₃^?; solvents = MeOH or H₂O). All complexes were characterised by microanalysis, infrared spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry and solid-state photoluminescence measurements. The crystal structures of [Tb^III(H₃L¹)₂]Cl₃·6MeOH, [Dy(H₃L¹)₂]Cl₃·6MeOH, [Eu^III(H₃L¹)₂]Cl₃·6MeOH and [Tb^III(H₃L¹)₂](NO₃)₃ reveal high-crystallographic ?3 symmetry at the O₆-coordinated octahedral lanthanide(III) ions and that the tripodal ligands are bound in zwitterionic form: the protons from the phenolic oxygens have migrated to the amino nitrogens. Photoluminescence measurements indicate various degrees of energy transfer of the ligand chromophore to the lanthanide ions, as both ligand and lanthanide emission features are observed. Despite the high-crystallographic symmetry and the likely small transverse magnetic anisotropy of the complexes, no evidence of slow relaxation of the magnetisation, characteristic of a single-molecule magnet, was observed for [Tb^III(H₃L¹)₂]Cl₃·MeOH·3H₂O, [Dy^III(H₃L¹)₂]Cl₃·6H₂O, [Ho^III(H₃L¹)₂](NO₃)₃·2H₂O, [Er^III(H₃L¹)₂]·H₂O and [Tb^III(H₃L¹)₂](NO₃)₃ down to 2.0 K.     

Binuclear Pd(II) complexes with chiral ethylenediaminodioxime (H2L) and bis-α-thiooxime (H2L1), the derivative of monoterpenoid(+)-3-carene. Crystal structures of [Pd2(H2L)Cl4] and [Pd2(H2L1)Cl4] · 3CDCl3

Diamagnetic Pd(II) complexes with the chiral ethylenediaminodioxime (H 2 L) and bis-α-thiooxime (H₂L¹), the derivatives of monoterpenoid (+)-3-carene, of the composition Pd₂(H₂L)Cl₄(I), Pd₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄ (II), and the solvate Pd₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄·3DCl₃ (III) were synthesized. The crystal structures of complex I and solvate III were determined from X-ray diffraction data. The structures consist of acentric binuclear molecules with the coordination cores PdN₂Cl₂ (in I) and PdNSCl₂ (in III) in the form of the distorted squares. In complex I, each Pd atom coordinates two N atoms of the tetradentate bridge-cyclic ligand H₂L and two Cl atoms; in compound III, one N and one S atom of the tetradentate bridge-cyclic ligand H₂L¹, and 2 Cl atoms. The CDCl₃ molecules in compound III lie in the cavities formed by the molecules of complex II. In both structures, the PdCl₂ fragments are in the trans-positions. The ¹H NMR spectra indicate that the structures of complexes I, II in solutions are similar to the structures of compounds I, III in the solid state. Original Russian Text ? T.E. Kokina, L.I. Myachina, L.A. Glinskaya, A.V. Tkachev, R.F. Klevtsova, L.A. Sheludyakova, S.N. Bizyaev, A.M. Agafontsev, N.B. Gorshkov, S.V. Larionov, 2008, published in Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, 2008, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 120–132.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and properties of inorganic-organic hybrid complexes constructed from copper(II) macrocyclic fragment

Reaction of a macrocyclic copper(II) complex [Cu(L)](ClO₄)₂ · 3H₂O (I) (L = 1,3,10,12,16,19-hexaazatetracyclotetracosane) with a hexapod carboxylate ligand H₆TTHA (H₆TTHA = 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine hexaacetic acid) and a tripod carboxylate ligand H₃TATB (H₃TATB = 4,4′,4″-S-triazine-2,4,6-triyl-tribenzoic acid) yielded two mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)][H₄TTHA] · 4H₂O (II) and [Cu(L)][HTATB] · 4H₂O (III). The complexes I–III have been structurally characterized. The crystal structures of complexes II and III show the copper(II) ion has a distorted pentacoordinate square-pyramidal geometry with two secondary and two tertiary amines from the macrocyclic complex [Cu(L)]²⁺ and one oxygen atom from the carboxylate ligand group at the axial position. The UV-Vis spectra are utilized to discuss the hydrolysis of the complex II.     

Poly[tetra‐μ2‐l‐lactato‐indium(III)sodium(I)]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [InNa(C₃H₅O₃)₄]_n, consists of one In^III ion, one Na^I ion and four crystallographically independent l ‐lactate monoanions. The coordination of the In^III ion is composed of five carboxylate O and two hydroxy O atoms in a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry. The Na^I ion is six‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms and two hydroxy O atoms from four l ‐lactate ligands in a distorted octahedral geometry. Each In^III ion is coordinated by four surrounding l ‐lactate ligands to form an [In(l ‐lactate)₄]⁻ unit, which is further linked by Na^I ions through Na—O bonds to give a two‐dimensional layered structure. Hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy groups and carboxylate O atoms are observed between neighbouring layers.     

Cobalt(III) dimethylglyoximates containing selenourea and an unusual diselenourea ligand: Synthesis and structures

The complexes [Co(DH)₂(Seu) _y (Se-Seu) _z ]₂X · mSolv (DH is the dimethylglyoxime monoanion, Seu is selenourea, and X is [TiF₆]²⁻, [ZrF₆]²⁻) were obtained from the system CoX · 6H₂O-DH₂-Seu in DMF-MeOH or MeOH-H₂O and examined by UV, IR, and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Unexpectedly, the ligand Se-Seu (the oxidized form of selenourea) was detected on the axial coordinate, partially replacing selenourea. The complexes were formulated as [Co(DH)₂(Seu)_1.75(Se-Seu)_0.25]₂[TiF₆] · H₂O (I) and [Co(DH)₂(Seu)(Se-Seu)]₂[ZrF₆] · 3H₂O (II). The complex cations in I and II have trans-octahedral structures. Their crystal structures are made up of the complex Co³⁺ cations and the outer-sphere MF₆²⁻ anions (M = Ti(IV) (I) and Zr(IV) (II)) held together by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds; water of crystallization is also involved in hydrogen bonding.     

Ligational behaviour of two biologically active N−S donors towards cobalt(III), iron(III), iron(II) and rhodium(III)

Summary The chelating behaviour of two biologically active ligands, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde(4-phenyl) thiosemicarbazone(L₁H) and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone(LH), towards Fe^III, Co^III, Fe^II and Rh^III has been investigated. The ligands act as tridentate N–N–S donors, resulting in the formation of bis-chelate complexes of the type M^III(A)₂X·nH₂O (A=L₁ or L; X=Cl, ClO₄; M=Co^III, Rh^III, Fe^III), Fe^II(L₁H)₂SO₄·2H₂O and Fe^II(L₁)₂·H₂O. Biological activity of the ligands and the metal complexes in the form ofin vitro antibacterial activities towardsE. coli has been evaluated and the possible reasons for enhancement of the activity of ligands on coordination to metal ion is discussed.