Hydrothermal and sonochemical synthesis of a nano-sized nickel(II) Schiff base complex as a precursor for nano-sized nickel(II) oxide; spectroscopic, catalytic and antibacterial properties

The Ni(II) complexes Ni(L)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and Ni(L)₂(NO₃)₂] (2), where L is the Schiff base ligand of 4,5,9,13,14-pentaaza-benzob] triphenylene, were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Nano-sized particles of (1) were prepared both by sonochemistry (3) and solvothermal (4) methods. NiO nanoparticles were obtained by calcination of the nano-structure complexes at 500 °C. The structures of the nano-sized compounds were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stabilities of the bulk complexes (1–2) and nano-sized particles (3–4) were studied by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry. The catalytic activities of complexes of (1–4) are reported. The free Schiff base and its Ni(II) complexes have been screened for antibacterial activities against three Gram-positive bacteria. The metal complexes are more active than the free Schiff base. Electrochemical studies show that the Ni complexes undergo irreversible reduction in MeCN solution.