Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Potassium Hydro(benzoyl)(phthalyl)borate and Its Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), and Copper(II) Complexes

A new organoborate ligand, hydro(benzoyl)(phthalyl)borate has been synthesized as its potassium salt (KL) and treatment of KL with one equivalent of MCl2•6H2O gave complexes ML(H2O)x•Cl [x＝2, M＝Co(II), Ni(II); x＝1, M＝Cu(II)]. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H NMR, ESI MS, UV-Vis techniques, conductivity and magnetic data measurements. Spectroscopic results suggest a square planar geometry in the Cu(II) complex, while the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes possess an octahedral geometry. Antibacterial activities (in vitro) of the ligand and its metal complexes were studied against two Gram positive (B. subtillis and B. magterium) and two Gram negative bacteria (E. Coli and S. boydi) at a single concentration (75 μg/mL) by using the Disc diffusion method. Antifungal activities (in vitro) were also checked for the compounds by using the same method against Candida albicans 10261, Penicillium sp. and Asperjillius niger., at a single concentration (50 μg/mL). The results showed that all the metal complexes, specially the nickel(II) complex, have higher antibacterial and antifungal activities than the corresponding potassium salt.