Synthesis,characterization of Schiff base metal complexes and their biological investigation

A new Schiff base ligand named (E)‐2‐(((3‐aminophenyl)imino)methyl)phenol (HL) was prepared through condensation reaction of m‐phenylenediamine and 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde in 1:1 molar ratio. The new ligand was characterized by elemental analysis and spectral techniques. The coordination behavior of a series of transition metal ions named Cr (III), Mn (II), Fe (III), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II) with the newly prepared Schiff base ligand (HL) is reported. The nature of bonding and the stereochemistry of the complexes have been deduced from elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR, mass, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements and further their thermal stability was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). From IR spectra, it was observed that the ligand is a neutral tridentate ligand coordinates to the metal ions through protonated phenolic oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and nitrogen atom of NH₂ group. The existence, the number and the position of the water molecules was studied by thermal analysis. The molecular structures of the Schiff base ligand (HL) and its metal complexes were optimized theoretically and the quantum chemical parameters were calculated. The synthesized ligand and its complexes were screened for antimicrobial activities against bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillis subtilis, (gram positive bacteria)), (Salmonella SP., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, (gram negative bacteria)) and fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans). The complexes were found to possess high biological activities against different organisms. Molecular docking was used to predict the efficiency of binding between Schiff base ligand (HL) and both receptors of Escherichia coli (3 T88) and Staphylococcus aureus (3Q8U). The receptor of Escherichia coli (3 T88) showed best interaction with Schiff base ligand (HL) compared to receptor of Staphylococcus aureu (3Q8U).     

New acyclic Schiff-base copper(II) complexes and their electrochemical,catalytic, and antimicrobial studies

A new series of acyclic mononuclear copper(II) complexes have been prepared by Schiff-base condensation derived from 5-methylsalicylaldehyde, diethylenetriamine, tris(2-aminoethyl) amine, triethylenetetramine, N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine, N,N-bis(aminopropyl) piperazine, and copper perchlorate. All the complexes were characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. Electronic spectra of the complexes show a d–d transition in the range 500–800?nm, electrochemical studies of the complexes show irreversible one-electron-reduction process around ?1.10 to ?1.60?V. The reduction potential of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes shifts toward anodic direction upon increasing the chain length of the imine compartment. ESR spectra of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes show four lines, characteristic of square-planar geometry, with nuclear hyperfine spin 3/2. The copper(II) complexes show a normal room temperature magnetic moment value μ _eff?=?1.72–1.76?BM, close to the spin-only value of 1.73?BM. Electrochemical and catalytic studies of the complexes were compared on the basis of increasing the chain length of the imine compartment. All the complexes were screened for antifungal and antibacterial activities.     

Design,synthesis, DNA binding ability,chemical nuclease activity and antimicrobial evaluation of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) metal complexes containing tridentate Schiff base

A novel Schiff base has been designed and synthesized using the bioactive ligand obtained from 4-aminoantipyrine, 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and 2-aminobenzoic acid. Its Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) complexes have also been synthesized in ethanol medium. The structural features have arrived from their elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, mass, IR, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and ESR spectral studies. The data show that the complexes have composition of ML₂ type. The electronic absorption spectral data of the complexes suggest an octahedral geometry around the central metal ion. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus (CT) DNA has been studied using absorption spectra, cyclic voltammetric, and viscosity measurement. The metal complexes have been found to promote cleavage of pUC19 DNA from the super coiled form I to the open circular form II. The complexes show enhanced antifungal and antibacterial activities compared with the free ligand.     

DNA interaction studies of Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) chelates derived from schiff base ligand

Chelates of the type M(L)₂ {where, M ?= ?Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II), and L ?= ?3-{(E)-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}pyridin-4(1H)-one)} were synthesized by using the Schiff base ligand in the stochiometric ratio 2:1 (L:M) and Schiff base ligand (L) was synthesized by simple condensation between 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde with 3-aminopyridin-4-ol. The structure and formation of synthesized compounds were established by different analytical and spectroscopic methods like, elemental analysis, UV- spectroscopy, FT-IR, Proton and Carbon NMR, mass spectrometry and Powder XRD. Further, the synthesized chelates screened for the DNA binding studies of Calf Thymus (CT)-DNA by exploiting electronic absorption spectra, relative viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation methods. The proposed DNA binding mode supports the enhancement in the binding activity of the complexes in presence of newly synthesized ligand. The cleavage activities of the PUC-18 DNA in the presence and the absence of the complexes were recorded with the help of gel-electrophoresis. The cleavage experiment results reveals that all the synthesized chelates can cleave pUC-18 DNA effectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new Schiff base derived from 2,3-diaminopyridine and 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde and its Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. Electrochemical and electrocatalytical studies

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a new tetradentate Schiff base ligand obtained from 2,3-diaminopyridine and 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde. This ligand (H₂L) reacted with nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) acetates to give complexes. The ligand and its metal complexes were characterized using analytical, spectral data (UV–vis, IR, and mass spectroscopy), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The crystal structure of the copper complex was elucidated by X-ray diffraction studies. The electrochemical behavior of these compounds, using CV, revealed that metal centers were distinguished by their intrinsic redox systems, e.g. Ni(II)/Ni(I), Cu(II)/Cu(I), and Zn(II)/Zn(I). Moreover, the electrocatalytic reactions of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes catalyze the oxidation of methanol and benzylic alcohol.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of tridentate Schiff base derived from vanillin and DL-alpha-aminobutyric acid

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of the Schiff base derived from vanillin and dl-alpha-aminobutyric acid were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectra, conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, powder XRD and biological activity. The analytical data show the composition of the metal complex to be [ML(H(2)O)], where L is the Schiff base ligand. The conductance data indicate that all the complexes are non-electrolytes. IR results demonstrate the tridentate binding of the Schiff base ligand involving azomethine nitrogen, phenolic oxygen and carboxylato oxygen atoms. The IR data also indicate the coordination of a water molecule with the metal ion in the complex. The electronic spectral measurements show that Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes have tetrahedral geometry, while Cu(II) complex has square planar geometry. The powder XRD studies indicate that Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes are amorphous, whereas Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes are crystalline in nature. Magnetic measurements show that Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes have paramagnetic behaviour. Antibacterial results indicated that the metal complexes are more active than the ligand.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,theoretical, antimicrobial,DNA interaction and in vitro anticancer studies of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with pyrimidine-morpholine based Schiff base ligand

Novel Cu(II) (1) and Zn(II) (2) complexes with 4-(1-(4-morpholinophenyl)ethylideneamino)pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile) (L) have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. DFT (density functional theory) studies result confirms that, LMCT mechanism have been done between L and M(II) ions. The antimicrobial studies indicate that the ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 exhibit higher activity against the E. coli bacteria and C. albicans fungi. The groove binding mode of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 with CT-DNA have been confirmed by electronic absorption, competitive binding, viscometric and cyclic voltammetric studies. The electronic absorption titration of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 with DNA have been carried out in different buffer solutions (pH 4.0, 7.0 & 10.0). The K_b values of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 are higher in acidic buffer at pH 4.0 (K_b = 2.42 × 10⁵, L; 2.8 × 10⁵, 1; 2.65 × 10⁵, 2) and the results revealed that, the interaction of synthesized compounds with DNA were higher in the acidic medium than basic and neutral medium. Furthermore, CT-DNA cleavage studies of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 have been studied. The in vitro anticancer activities results show that complexes 1 & 2 have moderate cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and low toxicity on normal cell line than ligand L.     

Ag(I) and Zn(II) isonicotinate complexes: design,characterization, antimicrobial effect,and CT-DNA binding studies

Trinuclear Ag(I) (1) and dinuclear and mononuclear Zn(II) isonicotinate (2 and 3) complexes were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Single-crystal analysis of the Ag(I) complex reveals two different monodentate carboxylate coordination modes, protonated and deprotonated, respectively. IR spectra showed correlations between isonicotinate coordination modes and Δ(ν_as???ν_s)_IR values. In addition, the hydrogen bonds significantly influence a position of carboxylate absorption bands. Moreover, IC₅₀ and MIC data for bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi were determined and the binding of Ag(I) and Zn(II) complexes to calf thymus DNA was investigated using electronic absorption, fluorescence, and CD measurements. Biological tests showed that the Ag(I) complex is more active than commercially used Ag(I) sulfadiazine against Escherichia coli. The fluorescence spectral results indicate that the complexes can bind to DNA through an intercalative mode. The Stern–Volmer quenching constants for investigated complexes obtained from the linear quenching plot are in the range of 1.67 × 10⁴–3.42 × 10⁴ M^?1.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with pyrral-l-histidinate

The Schiff base ligand, pyrral-l-histidinate(L) and its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass, molar conductance, IR, electronic, magnetic measurements, EPR, redox properties, thermal studies, XRD and SEM. Conductance measurements indicate that the above complexes are 1:1 electrolytes. IR data show that the ligand is tridentate and the binding sites are azomethine nitrogen, imidazole nitrogen and carboxylato oxygen atoms. Electronic spectral and magnetic measurements indicate tetrahedral geometry for Co(II) and octahedral geometry for Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes, respectively. The observed anisotropic g values indicate the presence of Cu(II) in a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment. The redox properties of the ligand and its complexes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Thermal decomposition profiles are consistent with the proposed formulations. The powder XRD and SEM studies show that all the complexes are nanocrystalline. The in vitro biological screening effects of the synthesized compounds were tested against the bacterial species, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus; fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans by the disc diffusion method. The results indicate that complexes exhibit more activity than the ligand. The nuclease activity of the ligand and its complexes were assayed on CT DNA using gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of H₂O₂.     

Biocatalysis,DNA–protein interactions,cytotoxicity and molecular docking of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and V(IV) Schiff base complexes

Four mononuclear metal complexes (Cu(II) ( 1 ), Ni(II) ( 2 ), Zn(II) ( 3 ) and V(IV) ( 4 )) were synthesized using the Schiff base ligand 2,2′‐{cyclohexane‐1,2‐diylbis[nitrilo(1E )eth‐1‐yl‐1‐ylidine]}bis[5‐(prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yloxy)phenol] and structurally characterized by various spectral techniques. The catecholase‐mimicking activities of 1 – 4 were investigated and the results reveal that all the complexes have ability to oxidize 3,5‐di‐tert ‐butylcatechol (3,5‐DTBC) to 3,5‐di‐tert ‐butylquinone in aerobic conditions. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry studies were performed for 1 – 4 in the presence of 3,5‐DTBC to determine the possible complex–substrate intermediates. X‐band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy results indicate that the metal centres are involved in the catecholase activity. Ligand‐centred radical generation was further confirmed by density functional theory calculation. The phosphatase‐like activity of 1 – 4 was investigated using 4‐nitrophenylphosphate as a model substrate. All the complexes exhibit excellent phosphatase activity in acetonitrile medium. The interactions of 1 – 4 with calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein were investigated using absorption and fluorescence titration methods. All the complexes strongly interact with CT‐DNA and BSA protein. The complexes exhibit significant hydrolytic cleavage of supercoiled pUC19 DNA. Complexes 1 – 4 exhibit significant in vitro cytotoxicity against MCF7 (human breast cancer) and MIA‐PA‐CA‐2 (human pancreatic cancer) cell lines. Moreover, the molecular docking technique was employed to determine the binding affinity with DNA and protein molecules.     

A new pyrimidine-derived ligand,N-pyrimidine oxalamic acid,and its Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pd(II) complexes: synthesis,characterization, electrochemical properties,and biological activity

A new heterocyclic compound N-(5-benzoyl-2-oxo-4-phenyl-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)-oxalamic acid has been synthesized from N-amino pyrimidine-2-one and oxalylchloride. Bis-chelate complexes of the ligand were prepared from acetate/chloride salts of Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pd(II) in methanol. The structures of the ligand and its metal complexes were characterized by microanalyses, IR, AAS, NMR, API-ES, UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and thermogravimetric analyses. An octahedral geometry has been suggested for all the complexes, except for Pd(II) complex, in which the metal center is square planar. Each ligand binds using C(2)=O, HN, and carboxylate. The cyclic voltammograms of the ligand and the complexes are also discussed. The new synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi using the microdilution procedure. The Cu(II) complex displayed selective and effective antibacterial activity against one Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium (Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064), two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus ATCC 25923) at 40–80 µg mL^?1, but poor activity against Candida species. The Cu(II) complex might be a new antibacterial agent against Gram-positive bacteria.     

Polydentate Schiff-base ligands and their Cd(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes: synthesis,characterization, biological activity and electrochemical properties

Synthesis, characterization, microbiological activity and electrochemical properties of the Schiff-base ligands A¹–A⁵ and their Cd(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes are reported. The ligands and their complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT–IR, UV–Vis, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, mass spectra, magnetic susceptibility and conductance measurements. In the complexes, all the ligands are bidentate, the oxygen in the ortho position and azomethine nitrogen atoms of the ligands coordinate to the metal ions. The keto-enol tautomeric forms of the Schiff-base ligands A¹–A⁵ have been investigated in polar and non-polar organic solvents. Antimicrobial activity of the ligands and metal complexes were tested using the disc diffusion method and the chosen strains include Bacillus megaterium and Candida tropicalis. The electrochemical properties of the ligands A¹–A⁵ and their Cu(II) metal complexes have been investigated at different scan rates (100–500?mV?s^?1) in DMSO.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,photo-induced DNA cleavage,and antimicrobial activity of metal complexes of a Schiff base derived from bis(3-aminophenyl)malonamide

The peptide linkage Schiff base (H₂L) and its complexes have been synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, FTIR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, EPR, and FAB-mass spectra. The stoichiometry of the complexes is [ML] (where M = Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and VO(IV)). All the complexes exhibit square-planar geometry except the vanadyl complex which has square-pyramidal geometry. Interactions of the complexes and free ligand with double-stranded calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) are studied by UV-spectrophotometric, electrochemical, and viscosity measurements. The data suggest that all the complexes form adducts with DNA and distort the double helix by changing the base stacking. Vanadyl complex forms a weaker adduct to CT-DNA than other complexes, probably due to the square-pyramidal geometry. CT-DNA induces extensive distortion in the planarity of vanadyl complex as EPR spectral calculations reveal. The intrinsic binding constants (K _b) of [ZnL], [CuL], [CoL], and [NiL] are 1.1 × 10⁵, 1.4 × 10⁵, 0.8 × 10⁵, and 0.6 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively. Photo-induced DNA cleavage indicates that all complexes cleave DNA effectively. Control DNA cleavage experiments using pUC19 supercoiled (SC) DNA and minor groove binder distamycin suggest major groove binding for the synthesized complexes. The antimicrobial results indicate that the complexes inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi more than the free ligand.     

Synthetic,spectroscopic, fluorescence,and biological investigation of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from 3-formyl-2-mercaptoquinolines (Quinol-2-thiones)

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes have been prepared with Schiff bases derived from 3-formyl-2-mercaptoquinoline and substituted anilines. The prepared Schiff bases and chelates have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibilities, electronic, IR, ¹H-NMR, ESR, cyclic voltammetry, FAB-mass, and thermal studies. The complexes have stoichiometry of the type ML₂ · 2H₂O coordinating through azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur of 2-mercapto quinoline. An enhancement in fluorescence has been noticed in the Zn(II) complexes whereas quenching occurred in the other complexes. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro for antibacterial and antifungal activities by MIC methods with biological activity increasing on complexation. Cu(II) complexes show greater bacterial than fungicidal activities. The brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out to study the in vitro cytotoxicity properties of the ligands and their corresponding complexes. Only four compounds have exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina; the other compounds were almost inactive for this assay.     

Synthesis of new chiral heterocyclic Schiff base modulated Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes: their comparative binding studies with CT-DNA, mononucleotides and cleavage activity

New Schiff base ligand L derived from the condensation reaction of 2-amino-3-formylchromone with (R)-2-amino-2-phenylethanol was synthesized and characterized which involves combination element of ammine functionality and naturally occurring heterocyclic chromone, 4H-benzopyran-4-one. Subsequently, their complexes 1 and 2 with Cu(NO?)? and Zn(NO?)?, respectively were prepared. The DNA binding studies of the ligand L and complexes 1 and 2 with CT-DNA as compared to classical anticancer drug cisplatin were carried out by employing different optical methods viz, UV-vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism and viscosity measurements. Furthermore, the absorption studies, 1H and 31P with mononucleotides were also monitored to examine the base specific interactions of the transition metal complexes which revealed a higher propensity of copper(II) complex 1 for 5'-GMP while for zinc(II) complex 2 towards 5'-TMP involving groove binding mechanism of the complexes towards DNA. The complex 1 exhibits a remarkable DNA cleavage activity with pBR322 DNA in presence of different activators and cleavage reaction involves various oxygen species suggesting the involvement of active oxygen species for the DNA scission.     

Synthesis,crystal feature and spectral characterization of paeonol derived Schiff base ligands and their Cu(II) complexes with antimicrobial activity

Four novel Schiff bases PNL-4OMe, PNL-4Br, PNL-4F, PNL-3,4-F₂, and their copper(II) complex with [M(L)₂(H₂O)₂] arrangement was synthesized using Paeonol and various aromatic substituted amines. Characterization has been done through FT-IR, ESI Mass, TG-DTA, DFT, magnetic measurements, elemental analysis, and Thermogravimetric analysis. Paeonol derived new bond formation in Schiff bases and changes in frequencies during complexation have been confirmed through FT-IR spectra. All complexes are thermally stable, paramagnetic, and have non-electrolytic behavior. The antimicrobial activity was also tested against Gram-positive bacteria; S. aureus, B. subtilis, and Gram-negative bacteria; E. coli, P. aeruginosa. Single-crystal X-ray data provide evidence that PNL-3,4-F₂ is recrystallizing in a triclinic system with P-1(2) space group and confirms the intramolecular H-bonding and short Vander Waal type interactions. Non-covalent interactions and π … π stacking surface interactions in PNL-3,4-F₂ were studied with Hirshfeld analysis. H-atoms have the highest interactions with other atoms of neighbouring molecules compared to all other atoms. DFT calculations were performed on the electronic structure of ligand PNL-3,4-F₂ and its copper(II) complex and discussed.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric studies of Cu(II) Schiff base complexes of pyridoxal

Two mononuclear Cu(II) complexes, [Cu(L¹H₂)](ClO₄)_1.25Cl_0.75·1.25H₂O (1) and [Cu(L²H₂)](ClO₄)₂ (2), of the pyridoxal Schiff base ligands N,N′-dipyridoxylethylenediimine (L¹H₂) and N,N′-dipyridoxyl-1,3-propanediimine (L²H₂) are reported. X-ray crystal structures of both complexes are also reported. In both complexes the pyridoxal nitrogen atoms remain protonated. In the solid state, the tetradentate Schiff base ligand is virtually planar in 1, while in 2 the ligand conformation is like an inverted umbrella. In cyclic voltammetry experiments it is found that in these complexes the Cu(III) and Cu(I) states are more easily accessible than in their salen type analogs. The pyridoxal Schiff base complexes are also found to be resistant to oxidative electro-polymerization, unlike their corresponding salicyl aldehyde Schiff base complexes.     

Benign synthesis of the unsymmetrical ligand N-(quinolin-8-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide. Preparation,electrochemistry, antibacterial activity,and crystal structures of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes

Hqpzc has been synthesized by a highly efficient procedure using the ionic liquid TBAB as an environmentally benign reaction medium. [Cu(qpzc)(OAc)]·H₂O (1) and [Zn(qpzc)(OAc)(H₂O)] (2), complexes of the deprotonated ligand, qpzc¯ [qpzc¯ = N-(quinolin-8-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic methods, and X-ray crystallography. The coordination geometry around the metal ions in both complexes is distorted square pyramidal. The mono-anionic qpzc¯ is a tridentate unsymmetrical ligand furnishing an N3 set, occupying three of the four basal positions. Acetate is a bidentate ligand in 1 and unidentate in 2. The apical position in 2 is occupied by water. Quite strong O-H…O hydrogen bonds create columns of complexes [rod group p21(11)] in the copper complex, but in conjunction with π-π interactions, a 3D edifice in the zinc complex. The electrochemical behavior of the ligand and its copper and zinc complexes shows that the quinoline ring reduces at more positive potentials in these complexes relative to the free ligand. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these complexes were tested against Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus.     

Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of new unsymmetrical N2O2 Schiff bases derived from 3-(2-aminobenzylimino)-1-phenylbutan-1-ol: synthesis,structure, antibacterial properties,and electrochemistry

Two new N₂O₂ unsymmetrical Schiff bases, H₂L¹ = 3-[({o-[(E)-(o-hydroxyphenyl)methylideneamino]phenyl}methyl)imino]-1-phenyl-1-buten-1-ol and H₂L² = 3-[({o-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylideneamino]phenyl}methyl)imino]-1-phenyl-1-buten-1-ol, and their copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes, [CuL¹] (1), [CuL²] (2), [NiL¹] (3), and [NiL²] (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The coordination geometry around Cu(II) and Ni(II) centers is described as distorted square planar in all complexes with the CuN₂O₂ coordination more distorted than the Ni ones. The electrochemical studies of these complexes indicate a good correlation between the structural distortion and the redox potentials of the metal centers. The ligand and metal complexes were also screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity.