A Bis‐Sulfonyl O,C,O Aryl Pincer Ligand and its Tin(II) Complex: Synthesis,Structural Studies,and DFT Calculations

The efficiency of the deprotonated aryl bis‐sulfone [2,6‐{(p‐tolyl)SO₂}₂C₆H₃]^? as an O,C,O‐coordinating pincer‐type ligand was described. The bis‐sulfone precursor was synthesized using a straightforward palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction. As a result of directed ortho metalation (DoM) through sulfonyl groups, a selective lithiation of the aryl group was achieved and the corresponding carbanion was isolated and its structure determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. A heteroleptic tin(II) complex has been prepared by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Crystallographic analysis and DFT calculations indicate that the bis‐sulfonyl moiety acts as a new O,C,O‐coordinating pincer‐type ligand with intramolecular S?O coordination to a tin(II) center. The cis form with the two nonbonded oxygen atoms of the sulfonyl groups on the same side is preferentially obtained.     

Bis‐Sulfonyl O,C,O‐Chelated Metallylenes (Ge,Sn) as Adjustable Ligands for Iron and Tungsten Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of an E₂CE₂ bis‐sulfonyl aryl pincer ligand and its efficiency for the stabilization of compounds containing low‐valent Group 14 elements (Ge and Sn) are reported. Complexation reaction of these metallylenes with iron or tungsten complexes resulted in the modulation of the oxygen atoms of the sulfonyl groups implicated in the stabilization of the Group 14 elements, demonstrating the original adjustable character of the bis‐sulfonyl O₂S‐C‐SO₂ aryl pincer.     

Sulfonated salicylidene thiadiazole complexes with Co (II) and Ni (II) ions as sustainable corrosion inhibitors and catalysts for cross coupling reaction

Condensation of 2,5‐dihydrazinyl thiadiazole with 5‐sodium sulfonate salicylaldehyde afforded dibasic tetradentate pincer N,O,O,N‐salicyldiene thiadiazole ligand (H₂Sanp). The novel dipolar ligand formed para‐magnetic pincer complexes within Co (II) and Ni (II) ions (Co‐Sanp and Ni‐Sanp) under sustainable conditions. The water‐soluble ligand and its metal‐complexes were estimated by mass, IR and UV–Visible spectroscopy, EA (elemental analyses), TGA (Thermogravimetric analyses), magnetic susceptibility, and conductivity measurements. The catalytic reactivity of Co‐Sanp and Ni‐Sanp were evaluated in the Suzuki and Buchwald‐Hartwig cross coupling reaction in aqueous‐methanol binary mixtures. Both reactions of boronic acid or aryl amines with aryl halides gave high chemoselective yield of C―C or C―N product. The inhibition characteristics of H₂Sanp and its Ni‐ and Co‐complexes were performed for the C‐steel corrosion in 1.0 M HCl using electrochemical measurements and surface analysis methods. These methods indicated that the synthesized compounds have served as efficient mixed‐type corrosion inhibitors and their adsorption on the steel surface obeyed isotherm model of Langmuir. Co‐Sanp inhibitor displays the best corrosion inhibition efficiency, and the capacity is up to 97.11% at of 250 mg L^?1. Surface analysis confirms formation of protective layer on the C‐steel surface.     

Magnetism and crystal structure of an N3O3‐coordinated iron(II) complex

The reaction of [FeL(MeOH)₂] {where L is the tetradentate N₂O₂‐coordinating Schiff base‐like ligand (E,E)‐diethyl 2,2′‐[1,2‐phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bis(3‐oxobutanoate)(2−) and MeOH is methanol} with 3‐aminopyridine (3‐apy) in methanol results in the formation of the octahedral complex (3‐aminopyridine‐κN¹){(E,E)‐diethyl 2,2′‐[1,2‐phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bis(3‐oxobutanoato)(2−)‐κ⁴O³,N,N′,O^3′}(methanol‐κO)iron(II), [Fe(C₂₀H₂₂N₂O₆)(C₅H₆N₂)(CH₄O)] or [FeL(3‐apy)(MeOH)], in which the Fe^II ion is centered in an N₃O₃ coordination environment with two different axial ligands. This is the first example of an octahedral complex of this multidentate ligand type with two different axial ligands, and the title compound can be considered as a precursor for a new class of complexes with potential spin‐crossover behavior. An infinite two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network is formed, involving the amine NH group, the methanol OH group and the carbonyl O atoms of the equatorial ligand. T‐dependent susceptibility measurements revealed that the complex remains in the high‐spin state over the entire temperature range investigated.     

Synthesis,Enantiomeric Conformations,and Stereodynamics of Aromatic ortho‐Substituted Disulfones

Aromatic ortho‐disulfone derivatives are readily accessible from diiodide precursors by Cu^I‐mediated reaction with sodium sulfinate salts (DMF, 110°). The sulfonyl substituents adopt in solution and in the solid state two enantiomeric conformations (λ and δ) as evidenced by ³¹P‐ and ¹H‐NMR data of the chiral D₃‐symmetric tris{4,5‐bis[(4‐methylphenyl)sulfonyl]benzene‐1,2‐diolato(2?)‐κO,κO′}phosphate(v) anion ( 3a ) and 1,2‐bis(camphor‐10‐sulfonyl)‐4,5‐dimethoxybenzene ((=1,2‐bis{{[(1S,4R)‐7,7‐dimethyl‐2‐oxobicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐1‐yl]methyl}sulfonyl}‐4,5‐dimethoxybenzene; 6c ). X‐Ray structure analysis of 1,2‐dimethoxy‐4,5‐bis(methylsulfonyl)benzene ( 6a ) and 1,2‐dimethoxy‐4,5‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)sulfonyl]benzene ( 6b ) confirmed in the solid state the preferred chiral orientation of the sulfonyl groups. Dynamic conformational isomerism was detected for 6c in its ¹H‐NMR in the temperature range of 110°, the corresponding free energy being 19.8 kcal?mol^?1.     

Characterization and gas adsorption of a novel three‐dimensional metal–organic framework (MOF) generated from a new polydentate fluorene‐bridged ligand

A polydentate ligand bridged by a fluorene group, namely 9,9‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2,7‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)fluorene (L), has been prepared under solvothermal conditions in acetonitrile. Crystals of the three‐dimensional metal–organic framework (MOF) poly[[[μ₃‐9,9‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2,7‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)fluorene‐κ³N:N′:O]bis(methanol‐κO)(μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′)nickel(II)] methanol disolvate], {[Ni(SO₄)(C₂₇H₂₄N₂O₂)(CH₃OH)]·2CH₃OH}_n, (I), were obtained by the solvothermal reaction of L and NiSO₄ in methanol. The ligand L forms a two‐dimensional network in the crystallographic bc plane via two groups of O—H…N hydrogen bonds and neighbouring two‐dimensional planes are completely parallel and stack to form a three‐dimensional structure. In (I), the Ni^II ions are linked by sulfate ions through Ni—O bonds to form inorganic chains and these Ni‐containing chains are linked into a three‐dimensional framework via Ni—O and Ni—N bonds involving the polydentate ligand L. With one of the hydroxy groups of L coordinating to the Ni^II atom, the torsion angle of the hydroxyethyl group changes from that of the uncoordinated molecule. In addition, the adsorption properties of (I) with carbon dioxide were investigated.     

Novel P‐Stereogenic PCP Pincer‐Aryl Ruthenium(II) Complexes and Their Use in the Asymmetric Hydrogen Transfer Reaction of Acetophenone

Achiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes ([RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)]) 4c , d were synthesized via transcyclometalation reactions by mixing equivalent amounts of [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diisopropylphosphine] ( 2c ) or [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diphenylphosphine] ( 2d ) and the N‐donor pincer‐aryl complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 2). The same synthetic procedure was successfully applied for the preparation of novel chiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] 4a , b by reacting P‐stereogenic pincer‐arenes (S,S)‐[1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[(alkyl)(phenyl)phosphines] 2a , b (alkyl=ⁱPr or ^tBu, P*CHP*) and the complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 3). The crystal structures of achiral [RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-3.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4c and of chiral (S,S)‐[RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-6.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4a were determined by X‐ray diffraction (Fig. 3). Achiral [RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)] complexes and chiral [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] complexes were tested as catalyst in the H‐transfer reduction of acetophenone with propan‐2‐ol. With the chiral complexes, a modest enantioselectivity was obtained.     

An NHC–Silyl–NHC Pincer Ligand for the Oxidative Addition of C−H,N−H,and O−H Bonds to Cobalt(I) Complexes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands bearing a central silyl donor, [CSiC]⁻, have been envisioned as a class of strongly σ‐donating ligands that can be used for synthesizing electron‐rich transition‐metal complexes for the activation of inert bonds. However, this type of pincer ligand and complexes thereof have remained elusive owing to their challenging synthesis. We herein describe the first synthesis of a CSiC pincer ligand scaffold through the coupling of a silyl–NHC chelate with a benzyl–NHC chelate induced by one‐electron oxidation in the coordination sphere of a cobalt complex. The monoanionic CSiC ligand stabilizes the Co^I dinitrogen complex [(CSiC)Co(N₂)] with an unusual coordination geometry and enables the challenging oxidative addition of E−H bonds (E=C, N, O) to Co^I to form Co^III complexes. The structure and reactivity of the cobalt(I) complex are ascribed to the unique electronic properties of the CSiC pincer ligand, which provides a strong trans effect and pronounced σ‐donation.     

Coordination behaviour,molecular docking,density functional theory calculations and biological activity studies of some transition metal complexes of bis‐Schiff base ligand

Coordination compounds of Mn (II), Fe (III), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II) and Cd (II) ions were synthesized from reaction with Schiff base ligand 4,6‐bis((E)‐(2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)ethylidene)amino)pyrimidine‐2‐thiol (HL) derived from the condensation of 4,6‐diaminopyrimidine‐2‐thiol and 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)acetaldehyde. Microanalytical data, magnetic susceptibility, infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, molar conductance, powder X‐ray diffraction and thermal decomposition measurements were used to determine the structure of the prepared complexes. It was found that the coordination between metal ions and bis‐Schiff base ligand was in a molar ratio of 1:1, with formula [M (HL)(H₂O)₂] X_n (M = Mn (II), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II) and Cd (II), n = 2; Fe (III), n = 3). Diffuse reflectance spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements suggested an octahedral geometry for the complexes. The coordination between bis‐Schiff base ligand and metal ions was through NNNN donor sites in a tetradentate manner. After preparation of the complexes, biological studies were conducted using Gram‐positive (B. subtilis and S. aureus) and Gram‐negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) organisms. Metal complexes and ligand displayed acceptable microbial activity against both types of bacteria.     

An NHC–Silyl–NHC Pincer Ligand for the Oxidative Addition of C−H,N−H,and O−H Bonds to Cobalt(I) Complexes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands bearing a central silyl donor, [CSiC]⁻, have been envisioned as a class of strongly σ‐donating ligands that can be used for synthesizing electron‐rich transition‐metal complexes for the activation of inert bonds. However, this type of pincer ligand and complexes thereof have remained elusive owing to their challenging synthesis. We herein describe the first synthesis of a CSiC pincer ligand scaffold through the coupling of a silyl–NHC chelate with a benzyl–NHC chelate induced by one‐electron oxidation in the coordination sphere of a cobalt complex. The monoanionic CSiC ligand stabilizes the Co^I dinitrogen complex [(CSiC)Co(N₂)] with an unusual coordination geometry and enables the challenging oxidative addition of E−H bonds (E=C, N, O) to Co^I to form Co^III complexes. The structure and reactivity of the cobalt(I) complex are ascribed to the unique electronic properties of the CSiC pincer ligand, which provides a strong trans effect and pronounced σ‐donation.     

A tale of hydrogen abstraction,initially detected via X‐ray diffraction

Reaction of a bis‐tetrazinyl pyridine pincer ligand, btzp, with a vanadium(III) reagent gives not a simple adduct but dichlorido{3‐methyl‐6‐[6‐(6‐methyl‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazin‐3‐yl‐κN²)pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN]‐1,4‐dihydro‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazin‐1‐yl‐κN¹}oxidovanadium(IV) acetonitrile 2.5‐solvate, [V(C₁₁H₁₀N₉)Cl₂O]·2.5CH₃CN, a species which X‐ray diffraction reveals to have one H atom added to one of the two tetrazinyl rings. This H atom was first revealed by a short intermolecular N...Cl contact in the unit cell and subsequently established, from difference maps, to be associated with a hydrogen bond. One chloride ligand has also been replaced by an oxide ligand in this synthetic reaction. This formula for the complex, [V(Hbtzp)Cl₂O], leaves open the question of both ligand oxidation state and spin state. A computational study of all isomeric locations of the H atom shows the similarity of their energies, which is subject to perturbation by intermolecular hydrogen bonding found in X‐ray work on the solid state. These density functional calculations reveal that the isomer with the H atom located as found in the solid state contains a neutral radical Hbtzp ligand and tetravalent d¹ V center, but that these two unpaired electrons are more stable as an open‐shell singlet and hence antiferromagnetically coupled.     

Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐5‐oxo‐4‐[2‐(phenylmethylidene)hydrazino]‐2,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrole‐3‐carboxylates by the Reaction between Hydrazones,Acetylenedicarboxylates, and 1‐Aryl‐N,N′‐bis(arylmethylidene)methanediamines

An efficient approach for the preparation of functionalized 2‐aryl‐2,5‐dihydro‐5‐oxo‐4‐[2‐(phenylmethylidene)hydrazino]‐1H‐pyrroles is described. The four‐component reaction between aldehydes, NH₂NH₂?H₂O, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, and 1‐aryl‐N,N′‐bis(arylmethylidene)methanediamines proceeds in EtOH under reflux in good‐to‐excellent yields (Scheme 1). The structures of 4 were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS, and, in the case of 4f , by X‐ray crystallography). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

Poly(aryl ether)s containing o‐terphenyl subunits. II. Random poly(ether sulfone)s

The synthesis of a new A₂X‐type difluoride monomer, N‐2‐pyridyl‐4′,4″‐bis‐(4‐fluorobenzenesulfonyl)‐o‐terphenyl‐3,6‐dimethyl‐4,5‐dicarboxylic imide ( 3 ), is described. The monomer 3 was incorporated into a series of copoly(aryl ether sulfone)s by polymerization of 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol and 4,4′‐difluorophenylsulfone. The incorporation of monomer 3 had an observable effect on both the glass‐transition temperature of poly(aryl ether sulfone)s and the tendency for macrocyclic oligomers to form during polymerization. Replacement of the pyridyl imide group via a transimidization reaction with propargyl amine proceeded quantitatively and without polymer degradation. The acetylene containing copoly(aryl ether sulfone) could be crosslinked by simple thermal treatment, resulting in an increase in the glass‐transition temperature and solvent resistance. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 9–17, 2000     

Comparison of two polymeric transition metal complexes with 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate ions as bridging ligands, [Co(C8H4O4)(C12H8N2)(H2O)] and [Cu(C8H4O4)(C10H9N3)]·H2O

The title complexes, catena‐poly[[aqua(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)­cobalt(II)]‐μ‐benzene‐1,4‐di­carboxyl­ato‐κ²O¹:O⁴], [Co(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)], (I), and catena‐poly[[[(di‐2‐pyridyl‐κN‐amine)copper(II)]‐μ‐benzene‐1,4‐di­carboxyl­ato‐κ⁴O¹,O^1′:O⁴,O^4′] hydrate], [Cu(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₀H₉N₃)]·H₂O, (II), take the form of zigzag chains, with the 1,4‐benzene­di­carboxyl­ate ion acting as an amphimonodentate ligand in (I) and a bis‐bidentate ligand in (II). The Co^II ion in (I) is five‐coordinate and has a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry. The Cu^II ion in (II) is in a very distorted octahedral 4+2 environment, with the octahedron elongated along the trans O—Cu—O bonds and with a trans O—Cu—O angle of only 137.22 (8)°.     

Hyperbranched poly(ether–urea)s using AB2‐type blocked isocyanate monomer and azide monomer: Synthesis,characterization, reactive end functionalization,and copolymerization with AB monomer

3,5‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl phenylcarbamate—a novel AB₂‐type blocked isocyanate monomer and 3,5‐bis{ethyleneoxy(4‐aminophenoxy)}phenyl carbonyl azide—a novel AB₂‐type azide monomer were synthesized in high yield. Step‐growth polymerization of these monomers were found to give a first example of hyperbranched poly (aryl‐ether‐urea) and poly(aryl‐alkyl‐ether‐urea). Molecular weights (M_w) of the polymer were found to vary from 1,858 to 52,432 depending upon the monomer and experimental conditions used. The polydispersity indexes were relatively narrow due to the controlled regeneration of isocyanate functional groups for the polymerization reaction. The degree of branching (DB) was determined using ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy and the values ranged from 87 to 54%. All the polymers underwent two‐stage decomposition and were stable up to 300 °C. Functionalized end‐capping of poly(aryl‐ether‐urea) using phenylchloroformate and di‐t‐butyl dicarbonate (Boc)₂O changed the thermal properties and solubility of the polymers. Copolymerization of AB₂‐type blocked isocyante monomer with functionally similar AB monomer were also carried out. The molecular weights of copolymers were found to be in the order of 6 × 10⁵ with narrow dispersity. It was found that the T_g's of poly(aryl‐alkyl‐ether‐urea)s were significantly less (46–49 °C) compared to poly(aryl‐ether‐urea)s. Moreover the former showed melting transition at 154 °C, which was not observed in the latter case. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2959–2977, 2007     

Synthesis of 5‐Aryl‐3‐(methylsulfanyl)‐1H‐pyrazoles via Three‐Component Reaction of 1,1‐Bis(methylsulfanyl)‐2‐nitroethene,Aromatic Aldehydes,and Hydrazine

An efficient approach for the preparation of functionalized 5‐aryl‐3‐(methylsulfanyl)‐1H‐pyrazoles 2 is described. This three‐component reaction between benzaldehydes 1 , NH₂NH₂?H₂O, and 1,1‐bis(methylsulfanyl)‐2‐nitroethene proceeds in EtOH under reflux conditions in good‐to‐excellent yields. The structures of 2 were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

Two threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional frameworks based on a flexible imidazole‐containing ligand and benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate

The open‐chain polyether‐bridged flexible ligand 1,2‐bis[2‐(1H‐1,3‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)phenoxy]ethane (L) has been used to create two two‐dimensional coordination polymers under hydrothermal reaction of L with Cd^II or Co^II, in the presence of benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc). In poly[[(μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato){μ‐1,2‐bis[2‐(1H‐1,3‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)phenoxy]ethane}cadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₂H₂₂N₄O₂)]·2H₂O}_n, (I), and the cobalt(II) analogue {[Co(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₂H₂₂N₄O₂)]·2H₂O}_n, (II), the Cd^II and Co^II cations are six‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from two different bdc²⁻ dianions in a chelating mode and two N atoms from two distinct L ligands. The metal ions, bdc²⁻ dianions and L ligands each sit across crystallographic twofold axes. The bdc²⁻ coordination mode and the coordinating orientation of the L ligand play an important role in constructing the novel two‐dimensional framework. Complexes (I) and (II) are threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional frameworks; their structures are almost isomorphous, while the bond lengths, angles and hydrogen bonds are different in (I) and (II).     

Disentangling steric and electronic factors in monomeric bis(2‐bromo‐4‐chloro‐6‐{[(2‐hydroxyethyl)imino]methyl}phenolato‐κ2N,O)copper(II)

The title compound, [Cu(C₉H₈BrClNO₂)₂], is a square‐planar complex. The potentially tridentate dibasic 2‐bromo‐4‐chloro‐6‐{[(2‐hydroxyethyl)imino]methyl}phenolate ligand coordinates in a trans‐bis fashion to the Cu^II centre via the imine N and phenolate O atoms. The Cu^II atom lies on the centre of inversion of the molecule. The potentially coordinating hydroxyethyl group remains protonated and uncoordinated, taking part in intermolecular hydrogen bonds with vicinal groups, leading to the formation of a two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network with sheets parallel to the (10) plane. Substituent effects on the crystal packing and coordination modes of the ligand are discussed.     

Chiral Dicopper Complexes with a Doubly Asymmetric Ligand as Models for the Tyrosinase Active Site: Synthesis,Structure, O2‐Reactivity and Comparison with Their Symmetric Analogs

In order to model the asymmetric active site of the type‐3 copper enzyme tyrosinase the “doubly asymmetric” binucleating ligand 1‐[bis‐N,N‐(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)aminomethyl]‐3‐[N‐(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N‐(2‐pyrid‐2‐ylethyl)aminomethyl]benzene (“unsDMPA”) is synthesized and coordinated to copper(I). The O₂‐reactivity of the Cu^I(unsDMPA) complex and its analog derived from the symmetric counterpiece of unsDMPA, DMPA, is investigated. Oxygenation in methanol leads to dicopper(II) bis(μ‐hydroxo) and bis(μ‐methanolato) complexes; the dicopper(II) bis(μ‐hydroxo) complex of the unsDMPA ligand is chiral. Oxygenation in dichloromethane leads to oxidative N‐dealkylation. This is attributed to a tendency of DMPA and unsDMPA complexes to form dicopper bis(μ‐oxo) intermediates, as evidenced by DFT. The implications of these results with respect to the design of tyrosinase model systems are discussed.     

Molecular structure,molecular docking,thermal, spectroscopic and biological activity studies of bis‐Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes

Coordination compounds of Fe(III), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II) ions were synthesized from the ligand [4,4′‐((((ethane‐1,2‐diylbis(oxy))bis(2,1‐phenylene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(azanylylidene))diphenol]ethane (H₂L) derived from the condensation of bisaldehyde and 4‐aminophenol. Microanalysis, magnetic susceptibility, infrared, ¹H NMR and mass spectroscopies, molar conductance, X ray powder diffraction and thermal analysis were used to confirm the structure of the synthesized chelates. According to the data obtained, the composition of the 1:1 metal ion–bis‐Schiff base ligand was found to be [M(H₂L)(H₂O)₂]Cl_n (M = Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II), n = 2; Fe(III), n = 3). Magnetic susceptibility measurements and reflectance spectra suggested an octahedral geometry for the complexes. Central metals ions and bis‐Schiff base coordinated together via O2 and N2 donor sites which as evident from infrared spectra. The Gaussian09 program was applied to optimize the structural formula for the investigated Schiff base ligand. The energy gaps and other important theoretical parameters were calculated applying the DFT/B3LYP method. Molecular docking using AutoDock tools was utilized to explain the experimental behaviour of the Schiff base ligand towards proteins of Bacillus subtilis (5 h67), Escherichia coli (3 t88), Proteus vulgaris (5i39) and Staphylococcus aureus (3ty7) microorganisms through theoretical calculations. The docked protein receptors were investigated and the energies of hydrogen bonding were calculated. These complexes were then subjected to in vitro antibacterial studies against several organisms, both Gram negative (P. vulgaris and E. coli) and Gram positive (S. pyogones and B. subtilis). The ligand and metal complexes exhibited good microbial activity against the Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria.