Synthesis,characterization, antimicrobial,and nuclease activity studies of some metal Schiff-base complexes

A Schiff base (L) is prepared by condensation of cuminaldehyde and L-histidine, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectra. Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes of this Schiff-base ligand are synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, mass, IR, electronic spectra, magnetic moment, electron spin resonance (ESR), CV, TG/DTA, powder XRD, and SEM. The conductance data indicate that all the complexes are 1 : 1 electrolytes. IR data reveal that the Schiff base is a tridentate monobasic donor, coordinating through azomethine nitrogen, imidazole nitrogen, and carboxylato oxygen. The electronic spectral data and magnetic measurements suggest that Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes are tetrahedral, while Cu(II) complex has distorted square planar geometry. XRD and SEM show that Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes have crystalline nature, while the Ni(II) complex is amorphous and the particles are in nanocrystalline phase. The in vitro biological activities of the synthesized compounds were tested against the bacterial species, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus; and fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans by the disc diffusion method. The biological study indicates that complexes exhibit more activity than the ligand. The nuclease activity of the ligand and its complexes are assayed on CT DNA using gel electrophoresis in the presence and the absence of H₂O₂. The Cu(II) complex shows increased nuclease activity in the presence of an oxidant when compared to the ligand, Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological properties of Ni(II), Co(II), and Cu(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from 4-aminobenzylamine

New Schiff bases, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-4-aminobenzylamine (H₂L¹), N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-4-aminobenzylamine (H₂L²), and N,N′-bis(4-hydroxysalicylidene)-4-aminobenzylamine (H₂L³), with their nickel(II), cobalt(II), and copper(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, electronic absorption, FT-IR, magnetic susceptibility, and conductance measurements. For the ligands, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and mass spectra were obtained. The tetradentate ligands coordinate to the metal ions through the phenolic oxygen and azomethine nitrogens. The keto-enol tautomeric forms of the Schiff bases H₂L¹, H₂L², and H₂L³ have been investigated in polar and apolar solvents. All compounds were non-electrolytes in DMSO (～10^?3 M) according to the conductance measurements. Antimicrobial activities of the Schiff bases and their complexes have been tested against Acinobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus megaterium, Corynebacterium xerosis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Rhodotorula rubra, and Kluyveromyces marxianus by the disc diffusion method; biological activity increases on complexation.     

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,physico-chemical investigations and biological studies on Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with p -amino acetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone

Complexes of the type [M(painh)(H₂O)₂X], where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II); X = Cl₂ or SO₄; painh = p-amino acetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone, have been synthesized and characterized by spectral and other physico-chemical techniques. The synthesized complexes are stable powders, insoluble in common organic solvents such as ethanol, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and diethyl ether, and are non-electrolytes. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) studies show that the organic ligand decomposes exothermically through various steps. TGA and Infrared (IR) spectral studies indicate the presence of coordinated water in the metal complexes. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and electronic spectra suggest that Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes are paramagnetic with octahedral geometry, whereas Cu(II) complexes have distorted octahedral geometry. The neutral bidentate ligand bonds through >C=O and >C=N–groups in all the complexes. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectra in the solid state show axial symmetry for [Cu(painh)(H₂O)₂(SO₄)] and elongated rhombic symmetry for [Cu(painh)(H₂O)₂Cl₂], suggesting an elongated tetragonally-distorted octahedral structure for both complexes. X-ray powder diffraction parameters for two complexes correspond to tetragonal and orthorhombic crystal lattices. The metal complexes show fair antifungal activity against Rizoctonia sp., Aspergillus sp., Stemphylium sp., and Penicillium sp. and appreciable antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas sp. and Escherichia coli.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological studies of some Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes derived from indole-3-carboxaldehyde and glycylglycine as Schiff base ligand

The Schiff base ligand derived from indole-3-carboxaldehyde(indal) and glycylglycine(glygly) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectrum, ¹H NMR and mass spectrum. Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)–indal-glygly Schiff base complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, IR, electronic spectra, magnetic measurements, ESR, electrochemical studies, TGA, DSC analysis, XRD and SEM. Conductance measurements indicate that the above complexes are 1:1 electrolytes. IR spectral data show that the ligand is tridentate and the binding sites are azomethine nitrogen, peptide nitrogen and carboxylato oxygen atoms. Electronic spectral measurements indicate tetrahedral geometry for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and square planar geometry for Cu(II) complex. Magnetic measurements show weak ferromagnetic behaviour for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and paramagnetic behaviour for Cu(II) complex. ESR spectral data shows the ionic link between metal and the Schiff base ligand. The metal complexes are found to be stabilized in the unusual oxidation states of the metal ion during electrolysis. Thermal analysis of the complex indicates that the decomposition takes place in three steps. IR and thermal studies indicate that the fourth position would be occupied by a water molecule in complexes. XRD shows that the complexes have the crystallite size of 31, 40 and 67 nm, respectively. The surface morphology of the complexes was studied by SEM. The antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes were screened by Kirby Bayer Disc Diffusion method. DNA cleavage studies were performed for metal–Schiff base complexes in presence of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant.     

Synthesis and structural studies of complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with substituted chalcones

Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with 3-(2-pyridyl)-1-(2-hydroxy phenyl)-2-propen-1-one (PHPO), 3-(1-naphthyl)-1-(2-hydroxy phenyl)-2-propen-1-one (NHPO) and 3-(3,4-dimethoxy phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy phenyl)-2-propen-1-one (DMPHPO) have been synthesized and characterized by analytical, conductivity, thermal, magnetic, infrared, electronic and electron spin resonance data. Based on analytical data the stoichiometry of the complexes has been found to be 1 : 2. The conductivity data show that all these complexes are non-electrolytes. The infrared spectral data indicate that the ligand PHPO acts as uninegative tridentately towards Co(II) and Ni(II) and bidentately with Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II). Ligands like NHPO and DMPHPO act as uninegative bidentately with all the metal ions. The electronic spectral data suggest that all the Co(II) complexes and Ni(II) of PHPO complex are octahedral and all the Cu(II) and Ni(II) of NHPO and DMPHPO complex are square-planar. The complex of Zn(II) and Cd(II) are tetrahedral. ESR parameters of Cu(II) complexes have been calculated and relevant conclusions have been drawn with respect to the nature of bonds present in them.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterocyclic Schiff base and its complexes with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II)

A new Schiff base, {1-[(2-hydroxy-naphthalen-1-ylmethylene)-amino]-4-phenyl-2-thioxo-1, 2-dihydro-pyrimidin-5-yl}-phenyl-methanone, has been synthesized from N-amino pyrimidine-2-thione and 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde. Metal complexes of the Schiff base were prepared from acetate/chloride salts of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) in methanol. The chemical structures of the Schiff-base ligand and its metal complexes were confirmed by elemental analyses, IR, ¹³C-NMR, ¹H-NMR, API-ES, UV-Visible spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and thermogravimetric analyses. The electronic spectral data and magnetic moment measurements suggest mononuclear octahedral and mononuclear or binuclear square planar structures for the metal complexes. In light of these results, it was suggested that this ligand coordinates to each metal atom by hydroxyl oxygen, azomethine nitrogen, and thione sulfur to form octahedral complexes with Cd(II) and Zn(II).     

Synthesis,characterization and biological properties of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with an SNO functionalized ligand

Some new metal(II) complexes, ML₂[M = Co, Ni, Cu and Zn], of 2-acetylthiophene benzoylhydrazone ligand (HL) containing a trifunctional SNO-donor system have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of physicochemical data by elemental analysis, magnetic moment, molar conductance, thermogravimetric and spectroscopic (electronic, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) data. The ligand functions as monobasic SNO tridentates where the deprotonated enolic form is preferred in the coordination producing distorted octahedral complexes.     

Synthesis,characterization, biological and docking studies of ZrO(II), VO(II) and Zn(II) complexes of a halogenated tetra-dentate Schiff base

The new Schiff base ligand 2,2′-{(4-chloro-1,2-phenylene)bis(nitrilo(E)methylylidene)}bis(4-bromophenol) (H₂L) and its VO(II), Zn(II) and ZrO(II) metal chelates have been synthesized and characterized by spectral, powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), molar conductance, magnetic measurements, thermal and elemental analyses. The molecular geometry of the prepared compounds has been confirmed by applying the theoretical density functional theory calculations (DFT). The analytical data showed that the parent azomethine H₂L ligand binds to the VO(II), Zn(II) and ZrO(II) ions through both of the two azomethine-N and two phenolic-O groups and adopts distorted octahedral geometry for ZnL(H₂O)₂ chelate while square pyramidal geometries for VOL and ZrOL chelates. The antioxidant activity of the compounds was also evaluated by using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) reduction method and compared with the positive control ascorbic acid. Carcinoma cells such as breast (MCF-7), liver (Hep-G2), colon (HCT-116) carcinoma cell lines and human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK-293) were used for in vitro cell proliferation to investigate the anticancer potency of the prepared compounds. The results showed that, the tumor growth is inhibited and dose-dependent according to the following order: VOL > ZrOL > ZnL(H₂O)₂ > H₂L. The titled compounds have been also tested for their antimicrobial activity against certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results showed that the H₂L ligand and its complexes has enhanced antibacterial and antifungal activities. The CT-DNA binding experiments of azomethine chelates showed that, the binding modes are intercalative, and the determined intrinsic binding constants (K_b) for the VOL, ZrOL, ZnL(H₂O)₂ complexes, are in the range 6.1–7.8 × 10⁵ mol^?1 dm^?3.The docking calculations were performed to probe the nature of binding affinity of the synthesized compounds with human DNA (PDB:1bna). The compounds may be applicable orally in an accurate manner, according to their in-silico intake, delivery, metabolic processes, digestion, and toxic effects (ADME) data.     

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.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization and biological activity of benzofuran Schiff bases with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes

New Schiff bases have been synthesized from benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide and benzaldehyde, [BPMC] or 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, [BDMeOPMC]; complexes of the type MLX₂, where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), L = BPMC or BDMeOPMC and X = Cl, have been prepared. Structures have been elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic properties, spectral studies i.e., ¹H NMR, electronic, ESR and IR studies show that the Schiff bases are bidentate through the azomethine nitrogen and oxygen of the carbonyl. We propose tentative structures for all of these complexes. The antifungal and antibacterial activities of the ligands and their metal complexes have been screened against fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus and against bacteria Escherichia coli and S. aurious.     

DNA fastening and scission actions of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes: synthesis,spectral characterization and cytotoxic study

A heterocyclic compound, 2‐(aminomethyl)benzimidazole dihydrohydrochloride, was treated with nitrobenzaldehyde to form a Schiff base that was made to react with divalent metals. A co‐ligand, either 1,10‐phenanthroline or 2,2′‐bipyridine, was added to this mixture to obtain metal chelators of type [ML(co‐L)₂]Cl₂. They were in 1:1:2 stoichiometry ratio, which was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques that suggested an octahedral geometry around the central metal ions. These complexes were investigated for their binding affinities with calf thymus (CT) DNA, using various techniques, such as UV–Vis, viscosity, cyclic voltammetry (CV), etc. The binding interaction studies revealed intercalation as the possible binding mode of the complexes with the CT DNA. In addition, these complexes were screened for their antimicrobial potential and DNA denaturing tendencies using gel electrophoretic assay. The antimicrobial screening investigation showed that the complexes behaved as better antimicrobial agents than the ligand, especially, complex 5 shows exceptional activity even in the electrophoretic assay along with the antimicrobial efficacy. Moreover, complex 5 was able to denature the plasmid DNA better than the other compounds. All the compounds were screened for cytotoxic efficacy, and the IC₅₀ values suggest that the compounds possess cytotoxic activity to some extent that is almost the same as the activity of cisplatin.     

Spectroscopic studies on Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with a N4-macrocylic ligands

Complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) with a new tetraaza macrocyclic ligand have been synthesized and characterized by microanalyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, mass, thermogravimetric (TGA), IR, 1H and 13C NMR, electronic and ESR spectral studies. All the complexes are found to have the formula [MLX2]x nH2O and are six-coordinated with distorted octahedral geometry.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial studies of some Schiff-base metal(II) complexes

Neutral complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) have been synthesized from the Schiff bases derived from 3-nitrobenzylidene-4-aminoantipyrine and aniline (L¹)/p-nitro aniline (L²)/p-methoxy aniline (L³) in the molar ratio 1 : 1. The structural features have been determined from microanalytical, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, mass, and ESR spectral data. The Cu(II) complexes are square planar, while Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes are tetrahedral. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and molar conductance data provide evidence for the monomeric and neutral nature of the complexes. The X-band ESR spectrum of Cu(II) complexes at 300 and 77 K were recorded. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes in MeCN at 298 K was studied. The in vitro biological screening effects of the investigated compounds were tested against the bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia bataicola, and Candida albicans by the well-diffusion method. Comparison of the inhibition values of the Schiff bases and their complexes indicate that the complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activity.     

Synthesis and characterization of oxazolone complexes with Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) in different counterions

Oxazolone forms (1:1) complexes with Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ chlorides, as well as forms (1:1) complexes with Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ acetates. All the complexes are found to be non-electrolytes in DMF; tetrahedral, square-planar and octahedral structures are assigned to them based on electronic and magnetic data. IR studies reveal that the complexes are formed by donating the lone-pair electron from O and N atoms to the metal ion. The thermal decomposition of the [ML·mX·nH₂O]_y·H₂O chelates was studied by TG–DTA techniques. The mechanism of the decomposition has been established from TG–DTA data. The kinetic parameters, activation energy (E_a) and pre-exponential factor (A), were calculated from TG curves using Coats and Redfern method. Relative thermal stabilities of the chelates have been evaluated on the basis of these parameters.     

DNA cleavage,antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory anthelmintic activities,and spectroscopic studies of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes of biologically potential coumarin Schiff bases

A series of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes, [ML?·?2H₂O] of Schiff bases derived from 4,4-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (dapsone) and 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin/5-formyl-6-hydroxycoumarin have been synthesized. From analytical, spectral (IR, NMR, UV-Vis, ESR and FAB mass), and magnetic studies it has been concluded that the metal complexes possess octahedral geometry and are non-electrolytes. The redox behavior of the metal complexes is investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes have been screened for antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus proteus) and antifungal activities (Fusarium, Candida, Rhizopus, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger) by the minimum inhibitory concentration method. The anthelmintic activity of the ligands and their metal complexes against earthworms was investigated. The DNA cleavage study was done by agarose gel electrophoresis. Anti-inflammatory activity studies showed the test compounds are comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,electrochemical and biological studies of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with thiocarbohydrazone

A series of metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) have been synthesized with the Schiff base derived from thiocarbohydrazide and 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin. The structures of the complexes have been proposed by elemental analyses, molar conductance, spectral (IR, UV-Vis, ESR and FAB-mass), magnetic, thermal and electrochemical studies. These complexes are soluble in DMF and DMSO and molar conductance values indicate that they are non-electrolytes. Elemental analyses of the complexes confirm stoichiometry ML ·; 2H₂O [M=Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)]. Spectroscopic studies indicate coordination occurs through phenolic oxygen after deprotonation and nitrogen of azomethine. The Schiff base and its complexes have also been screened for antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and antifungal activities (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and cladosporium) by the MIC method. The brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out to study their in vitro cytotoxic properties.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal Studies, antimicrobial activities and crystal structures of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)-orotate complexes with 2-methylimidazole

The 2-methylimidazole complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) orotates, mer-[Co(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)₂] (1), mer-[Ni(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)₂] (2), [Cu(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)] (3) and [Zn(HOr)(H₂O)₂(2-meim)] (4), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral (UV–Vis and FT-IR) methods, thermal analysis (TG, DTG and DTA), magnetic susceptibility, antimicrobial activity studies and single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The complexes 1 and 2 have distorted octahedral geometries with two monodentate 2-methylimidazole and one bidentate orotate and two aqua ligands. The complexes 3 and 4 have distorted square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal geometry, respectively, with one 2-methylimidazole, bidentate orotate and aqua ligands. The orotate coordinated to the metal(II) ions through deprotonated nitrogen atom of pyrimidine ring and oxygen atom of carboxylate group as a bidentate ligand. The antimicrobial activities of 1 and 4 were found to be more active gram (+) than gram (−) and 4 could be use for treatment Staphylococcus aureus.     

Green synthesis approach for Fe (III), Cu (II), Zn (II) and Ni (II)-Schiff base complexes,spectral, conformational,MOE-docking and biological studies

Green synthesis of Fe (III), Cu (II), Zn (II) and Ni (II)-Schiff's-base complexes from 2-oxo-N-(pyridine-2-yl)-2-(2-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)acetamide(H₂L)ligand. All new complexes were characterized via several spectroscopic and analytical techniques, to establish their molecular and structural formulae. All complexes appeared have 1:1 molar ratio (M:L). The ligand contributed as a neutral poly-dentate towards the metal ions. Moreover, material-studio program was used to predict the most fitted atomic-skeletons for investigated compounds by applying DFT method. MOE docking module (vs. 2015) was used to examine the degree of inhibition for new compounds versus three infected-cell proteins (1bqb, 2gt1 and 4esw). Also, antimicrobial and colorimetric assess for compounds that bind DNA were performed     

Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of a Schiff-base ligand and its mononuclear Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes

Mononuclear Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes of Schiff-base ligand(HL₁) derived from 8-acetyl-7-hydroxycoumarin and P-phenylenediamine were prepared and characterized by microanalytical, mass, UV–Vis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESR, conductance and fluorescence studies. The measured low molar conductance values in DMSO indicate that the complexes are non-electrolytes. The structures of the solid complexes under study are established by using IR, electronic and ESR spectroscopy suggesting that Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes are octahedral, Cd(II) complex is tetrahedral, Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes are square planar. The ESR spectrum of the Cu(II) complex in DMSO at 298 and 150 K was recorded and its salient features are reported, it supports the mononuclear structure. The Schiff base exhibited photoluminescence originating from intraligand (π–π*) transitions. Metal-mediated enhancement is observed on complexation of HL with Zn(II) and Cd(II), whereas metal-mediated fluorescence quenching occurs in Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II).