Synthesis,characterization, and biological screening of metal complexes of novel sulfonamide derivatives: Experimental and theoretical analysis of sulfonamide crystal

This study reports the synthesis of sulfonamide-derived Schiff bases as ligands L ¹ and L ² as well as their transition metal complexes [VO(IV), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)]. The Schiff bases (4-{E-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}benzene-1-sulfonamide ( L ¹ ) and 4-{[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}-N-(5-methyl-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)benzene-1-sulfonamide ( L ² ) were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 4-aminobenzene-1-sulfonamide and 4-amino-N-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-5-yl)benzene-1-sulfonamide with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde in an equimolar ratio. Sulfonamide core ligands behaved as bidentate ligands and coordinated with transition metals via nitrogen of azomethine and the oxygen of the hydroxyl group. Ligand L ¹ was recovered in its crystalline form and was analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique which held monoclinic crystal system with space group (P2₁/c). The structures of the ligands L ¹ and L ² and their transition metal complexes were established by their physical (melting point, color, yields, solubility, magnetic susceptibility, and conductance measurements), spectral (UV–visible [UV–Vis], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass analysis), and analytical (CHN analysis) techniques. Furthermore, computational analysis (vibrational bands, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), and natural bonding orbitals [NBOs]) were performed for ligands through density functional theory utilizing B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level and UV–Vis analysis was carried out by time-dependent density functional theory. Theoretical spectroscopic data were in line with the experimental spectroscopic data. NBO analysis confirmed the extraordinary stability of the ligands in their conjugative interactions. Global reactivity parameters computed from the FMO energies indicated the ligands were bioactive by nature. These procedures ensured the charge transfer phenomenon for the ligands and reasonable relevance was established with experimental results. The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activities against bacterial (Streptococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Eshcheria coli, and Klebsiella pneomoniae) species and fungal (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavous) strains. A further assay was designed for screening of their antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine radical scavenging activity, total phenolic contents, and total iron reducing power) and enzyme inhibition properties (amylase, protease, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase). The substantial results of these activities proved the ligands and their transition metal complexes to be bioactive in their nature.     

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 and biological properties of sulfonamide‐derived compounds and their transition metal complexes

Sulfonamide‐derived compounds and their first row d‐transition metal chelates [cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)] have been synthesized and characterized. The nature of bonding and structure of all the synthesized compounds have been proposed from magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, electron spectra, mass spectrometry and CHN analysis data. The structure of ligand, 4‐{[(E)‐(5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl) methylidene] amino}‐N‐(4,6‐dimethyl pyrimidin‐2‐yl) benzene sulfonamide has also been determined by X‐ray diffraction method. An octahedral geometry has been suggested for all the complexes. The ligands and metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity. The results of these studies revealed that all compounds showed moderate to significant antibacterial activity against one or more bacterial strains and good antifungal activity against various fungal strains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic studies,structural characterization and electrochemical studies of two cobalt (III) complexes with tridentate hydrazone Schiff base ligands: Evaluation of antibacterial activities,DNA‐binding,BSA interaction and molecular docking

Co(III) complexes of tridentate Schiff base ligands derived from N‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)benzamide (H ₂ L ¹ ) and 2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazine‐1‐carboxamide ( H ₂ L ² ) were synthesized and characterized using IR, Raman, ¹H–NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. X‐ray single crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 have also been determined, and it was indicated that these Co(III) complexes are in a distorted octahedral geometry. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the complexes indicates an irreversible redox behavior for both complexes 1 and 2 . The antibacterial effects of the synthesized compounds have been tested by minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration methods, which suggested that the metal complexes exhibit better antibacterial effects than the ligands against Gram‐positive bacteria. The effects of the drug (drug  =  ligands and complexes) on bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined using circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry, and it was revealed that the BSA (BSA, as a carrier protein) secondary structure changed in the presence of the drug. Interaction of the drug with calf‐thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) was investigated by UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence emission, CV and CD spectroscopy. Binding constants were determined using UV–Vis absorption. The results indicated that the studied Schiff bases bind to DNA, with the hyperchromic effect and non‐intercalative mode in which the metal complexes are more effective than ligands. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation was used to obtain the energetic and binding sites for the interaction of the complexes with Mycobacterium tuberculosis enoyl‐acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA), and results showed that complex 1 has more binding energy.     

Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Investigations of Two vic-Dioximes and Their Mononuclear Ni（Ⅱ）, Cu（Ⅱ） and Co（Ⅱ） Metal Complexes Containing Morpholine Group

Two vic-dioxime ligands （LxH2） containing morpholine group have been synthesized from 4-[2-（dimethylaminoethyl）] morpholine with anti-phenylchloroglyoxime or anti-monochloroglyoxime in absolute THF at -15 ℃. Reaction of two vic-dioxime ligands with MCl2·nH2O （M： Ni, Cu or Co and n=2 or 6） salts in 1 ： 2 molar ratio afforded metal complexes of type [M（LxH）2] or [M（LxH）2·2H2O]. All of metal complexes are non-electrolytes as shown by their molar conductivities （Am） in DMF （dimethyl formamide） at 10^-3 mol·L^-1. Structures of the ligands and metal complexes have been solved by elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV-Vis, ^1H NMR and ^13C NMR, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity measurements. Furthermore, redox properties of the metal complexes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Series of New Asymmetric Salphen Mono- and Binuclear Metal Complexes

Two novel asymmetric salen ligands H₂L¹ [N‐phenyl‐N‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylphenyl)‐N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐meth‐ oxylphenyl)‐o‐phenyldiamine] and H₂L² [N‐phenyl‐N‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐chlorophenyl)‐N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyl‐ phenyl)‐o‐phenyldiamine] and their metal complexes MLⁿ (M=Zn, Co, Ni, Cu; n=1, 2) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, ESI‐MS, FT‐IR and UV‐Vis spectra. In particular, the complex ZnL¹, the binuclear monosalphen complex, was synthesized and studied in detail using ¹H NMR and ESI‐MS techniques. For other metal complexes under the same reaction conditions, only mononuclear complexes were obtained. The results are relevant to both the metal ions and the structure of ligands.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activity of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with ferrocenyl Schiff bases containing a phenol moiety

Three ferrocenyl Schiff bases containing a phenol moiety have been formed by 1:1 molar condensation of acetylferrocene with 2‐aminophenol, 2‐amino‐5‐picoline or 2‐amino‐5‐chlorophenol. These ligands form 2:1 complexs with cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II) ions. From the different spectral data, it was found that coordination of the ligands with the metal ions takes place via the azomethine nitrogen atoms and the deprotonated oxygen of the phenol groups. These ligands and their complexes have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis spectra, and elemental analysis. The spectral data of the ligands and their complexes are discussed in connection with the structural changes due to complexation. The complexes prepared showed good antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilus, and Candida albicans. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DNA Binding and Cleavage Activity of cis‐Cobalt Aromatic Oxime Complexes and Its Pyridine/imidazole Adducts

cis‐Cobalt complexes with salicycaldoxime(SAO), (Z)‐1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanonoxime (HEO), (Z)‐1‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethanonoxime (DEO), (Z)‐1‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methanonoxime (DPO) and their adducts with pyridine (Py) and imidazole (Im) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, UV‐Vis and IR spectra. The electrochemical studies were carried by cyclic voltammeter, the peak potential separation and formal potential of complexes were independent of sweep rate or scan rate (ν) indicating a quasi reversible one‐electron redox process. Absorption studies and thermal denature studies revealed that each of these octahedral complexes is an avid binder of calf thymus DNA. The apparent binding constants for mixed ligand complexes are in order of ～10³‐10³ M^?1. Based on the data obtained in the DNA binding studies a partial intercalative mode of binding is suggested for these complexes. The nucleolytic cleavage activity of parent complexes and their pyridine adduct were carried out on double stranded pBR322 circular plasmid DNA by using a gel electrophoresis experiment in the presence and absence of oxidant (H₂O₂). All the metal complexes show enhanced cleavage activity in presence of oxidant. The hydrolytic cleavage of DNA of Co(DEO)₂ and Co(DPO)₂ is evidenced from the control experiments showing discernable cleavage inhibition in the presence of the hydroxyl radical inhibitor DMSO and EDTA.     

Synthesis,Spectroscopic, and Electrochemical Properties of Four Novel Trinuclear RuII Polypyridyl Complexes Containing Diazafluorene

Four tripodal ligands L^1–4 derived from 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one were synthesized. L^1–2 formed by the reaction of 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐oxime with 1,3,5‐tris(bromomethyl)benzene, and 1,1,1‐tris(p‐tosyloxymethyl)propane, respectively and L^3–4 formed by the condensation of 9‐(4‐hydroxy)phenylimino‐4,5‐diazafluorene with 1,3,5‐tris(bromomethyl)benzene, and 1,1,1‐tris(p‐tosyloxymethyl)propane, respectively. Four trinuclear complexes [(bpy)₆Ru₃L^1–4](PF₆)₆ ( Ru‐L^1–4 ) were obtained by reaction of Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂ · 2H₂O with ligands L^1–4. The photophysical behaviors of these complexes were investigated by UV/Vis absorption and emission spectrometry. The complexes display metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer absorptions at 441–445 nm and emissions at 571–578 nm. Cyclic voltammetry data of the complexes show one Ru^II‐centered oxidation and three successive ligand‐centered reductions.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic properties of novel palladium(II) complexes containing aromatic sulfonamides: effective catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol

In this article, N‐(2‐aminophenyl)arylsulfonamides (1–5) were successfully synthesized by the reaction of o‐phenylenediamine and various benzenesulfonyl chlorides. The Schiff base derivatives (1a–f; 4e) of those compounds were obtained using different aldehydes. Then, a series of neutral‐four coordinate Pd(II) complexes (6–10) were prepared from the reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ and 1–5. On the other hand, when we tried to synthesize Pd(II) complexes containing Schiff base/sulfonamide ligands, two different situations were observed. Generally, when an electron‐donating group was attached to the imine fragment (1a–d) except for 1f, the Schiff base hydrolyzed and 6 was isolated. When an electron‐withdrawing group was attached to the imine fragment (1e, 4e), neutral four‐coordinate Pd(II) complexes (11–13) bearing Schiff base/sulfonamide ligands were isolated. The synthesized compounds were characterized by FT‐IR, elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The complexes were used as a catalyst in the oxidation reaction of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde in the presence of H₅IO₆ in acetonitrile. All complexes showed satisfactory catalytic activity. The highest catalytic activity was obtained with 9. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Schiff base substitute polyphenol and its metal complexes derived from o‐vanillin with 2,3‐diaminopyridine: synthesis,characterization, thermal,and conductivity properties

Poly‐2,3‐bis[(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)methylene]diamino pyridine (PHMPMDAP) that a new Schiff base polymer has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy, elemental, and thermal analyses techniques. This azomethine polymer was found to form complexes readily with Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Pb(II), and Fe(II). From IR and UV‐Vis studies, the phenolic oxygen and imine nitrogen of the ligand were found to be the coordination sites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data indicate the polymer to be more stable than the monomer. The structure of the polymer obtained was confirmed by FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, ¹³C‐NMR, and ¹H‐NMR. Characterization was undertaken by TGA, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and solubility tests. Also, electrical conductivities of PHMPMDAP and polymer–metal complexes are measured by four probe technique. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,Electrochemical and Luminescence Studies of Nickel and Vanadium Complexes Containing Tetradentate Schiff Base Ligand with N2O2 Donor Atoms

A symmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligand was derived by the condensation of ortho‐vanillin and thiourea in 2:1 molar ratio and adjusted pH. Nickel and vanadyl complexes were obtained using the template method by the reaction of ortho‐vanillin and thiourea with Ni(OAc)₂. 4H₂O and VO(acac)₂ (2:1:1 molar ratio) in absolute ethanol and adjusted pH. The Schiff base ligand and its complexes have been characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, elemental analysis and conductometry measurements. In nickel and also vanadyl complexes the ligands were coordinated to the metals via the imine N and enolic O atoms. The complexes have been found to possess 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry and the molar conductance data revealed that the metal complexes were non‐electrolytes. The nickel and vanadyl complexes exhibited tetrahedral and square pyramidal coordination geometry, respectively. The emission spectra of the ligand and its complexes were studied in DMSO. Electrochemical properties of the ligand and its complexes were also investigated in the DMF solvent at the 150 mVs^‐1 scan rate. The ligand and its complexes showed irreversible processes at this scan rate.     

Sulfonamide‐derived compounds and their transition metal complexes: synthesis,biological evaluation and X‐ray structure of 4‐bromo‐2‐[(E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5 yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl} iminiomethyl] phenolate

Sulfonamide‐derived new ligands, 4‐({[(E)‐(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]‐amino}methyl)benzenesulfonamide and 4‐bromo‐2‐((E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5‐yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl}iminiomethyl)phenolate and their transition metal [cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)] complexes were synthesized and characterized. The nature of bonding and structure of all the synthesized compounds were deduced from physical (magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements), spectral (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, electronic, mass spectrometry) and analytical (CHN analysis) data. The structure of the ligand, 4‐bromo‐2‐((E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5‐yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl} iminiomethyl)phenolate was also determined by X‐ray diffraction method. An octahedral geometry was suggested for all the complexes. In order to evaluate the biological activity of the ligands and the effect of metals, the ligands and their metal complexes were screened for in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity. The results of these studies revealed that all compounds showed moderate to significant antibacterial activity against one or more bacterial strains and good antifungal activity against various fungal strains. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Triazine based Mn (II) and Mn (II)/Ln (III) complexes: Synthesis,characterization and catecholase activities

In the current work, two triazine‐based multidentate ligands (H₂L¹ and H₂L²) and their homo‐dinuclear Mn (II), mononuclear Ln (III) and hetero‐dinuclear Mn (II)/Ln (III) (Where Ln: Eu or La) complexes were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Single crystals of a homo‐dinuclear Mn (II) complex {[Mn (HL¹)(CH₃OH)](ClO₄·CH₃OH}₂ ( 1 ) were obtained and the molecular structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction method. In the structure of the complex, each Mn (II) ion is seven‐coordinate and one of the phenolic oxygen bridges two Mn (II) centre forming a dimeric structure. The UV–Vis. and photoluminescence properties of synthesized ligands and their metal complexes were investigated in DMF solution and the compounds showed emission bands in the UV–Vis. region. The catecholase enzyme‐like activity of the complexes were studied for 3,5‐DTBC → 3,5‐DTBQ conversion in the presence of air oxygen. Homo‐dinuclear Mn (II) complexes ( 1 and 4 ) were found to efficiently catalyse 3,5‐DTBC → 3,5‐DTBQ conversion with the turnover numbers of 37.25 and 35.78 h^?1 (k_cat), respectively. Mononuclear Eu (III) and La (III) complexes did not show catecholase activity.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of a new luminescent NiII complex: bis{2,4‐dichloro‐6‐[(2‐hydroxypropyl)iminomethyl]phenolato‐κ3O,N,O′}nickel(II)

The design and preparation of transition‐metal complexes with Schiff base ligands are of interest due to their potential applications in the fields of molecular magnetism, nonlinear optics, dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), sensing and photoluminescence. Luminescent metal complexes have been suggested as potential phosphors in electroluminescent devices. A new luminescent nickel(II) complex, [Ni(C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂NO₂)₂], has been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and elemental analysis, UV–Vis, FT–IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and photoluminescence spectroscopies, and LC–MS/MS. Molecules of the complex in the crystals lie on special positions, on crystallographic binary rotation axes. The Ni^II atoms are six‐coordinated by two phenolate O, two imine N and two hydroxy O atoms from two tridentate Schiff base 2,4‐dichloro‐6‐[(2‐hydroxypropyl)iminomethyl]phenolate ligands, forming an elongated octahedral geometry. Furthermore, the complex exhibits a strong green luminescence emission in the solid state at room temperature, as can be seen from the (CIE) chromaticity diagram, and hence the complex may be a promising green OLED (organic light‐emitting diode) in the development of electroluminescent materials for flat‐panel‐display applications.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Spectral Properties of Two Manganese(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes with 3,4‐Dimethyl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole

Two complexes, cis‐[MnL₂(NCS)₂] ( 1 ) and cis‐[ZnL₂(NCS)₂] ( 2 ) with asymmetrical substituted triazole ligands [L = 3,4‐dimethyl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV/Vis and FT‐IR spectroscopy as well as thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), powder XRD, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the complexes, each L molecule adopts a chelating bidentate mode by the nitrogen atoms of pyridyl and triazole. Both complexes have a similar distorted octahedral [MN₆] core (M = Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺) with two NCS^– ions in the cis position.     

Antimicrobial activity studies of the metal complexes derived from cyclobutane‐substituted thiazole carbamate ligands

Two novel monodentate carbamate ligands derived mainly from 4‐(1‐methyl‐1‐phenylcyclobutyl‐3‐yl)‐2‐aminothiazole and 4‐(1‐phenyl‐1‐methylcyclobutane‐3‐yl)‐2‐(N‐methyl)aminothiazole, have been prepared. The ligands and their metal complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹³C, and ¹H NMR spectra, as well as UV–Vis, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Both ligands contain 1 mole of water of crystallization and all complexes are mononuclear. Antimicrobial activities of the ligands and their complexes have been screened against the Bacillus subtitis IMG 22 (bacteria), Micrococcus luteus LA 2971 (bacteria), Escherichia coli DM (bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus COWAN I (bacteria), Saccharamyces cerevisiae UGA 102 (yeast), and Candida albicans CCM 314 (yeast). Thermal properties of the ligands and their complexes have been studied by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:665–670, 2001     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Macrocyclic Cu（Ⅱ） Complexes from Various Diamines, Copper（Ⅱ） Nitrate and 1,4-Bis（2-formylphenoxy）butane

Six new macrocyclic complexes were synthesized by a template reaction of 1,4-bis（2-formylphenoxy）butane with diamines and Cu（NO3）2·3H2O and their structures were proposed on the basis of elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity measurements and mass spectra. The metal to ligand molar ratios of the Cu（Ⅱ） complexes were found to be 1 ： 1. The Cu（Ⅱ） complexes are 1 ： 2 electrolytes as shown by their molar conductivities （∧m） in DMF at 10^-3 mol·L^-1. Due to the existence of free ions the Cu（Ⅱ） complexes are electrically conductive. Their configurations were proposed to be probably distorted octahedral.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activities of nickel(II) and copper(II) Schiff-base complexes

Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes of simple unsymmetrical Schiff-base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde/5-methylsalicylaldehyde and ethylenediamine or diaminomaleonitrile (DMN) were synthesized. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, FT IR, and mass spectroscopy. The electronic spectra of the complexes show d–d transitions in the region at 450–600 nm. Electrochemical studies of the complexes reveal that all mononuclear complexes show a one-electron quasi-reversible reduction wave in the cathodic region. 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 = 1.70–1.74 BM which is close to the spin only value of 1.73 BM. Kinetic studies on the oxidation of pyrocatechol to o-quinone using the copper(II) complexes as catalysts were also carried out. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the investigated compounds was tested against human pathogenic bacterias such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans. Generally, the metal complexes have higher antimicrobial activity than the free ligands.     

Stereodynamics of Metal–Ligand Assembly: What Lies Beneath the “Simple” Spectral Signatures of C2‐Symmetric Chiral Chelates

A series of C₂‐symmetric chiral tetra‐dentate ligands were prepared by using [4,5]‐ or [5,6]‐pinene‐fused 2,2′‐bipyridyl units that are supported across a rigid arylene–ethynylene backbone. These conformationally pre‐organised chelates support stable 1:1 metal complexes, which were fully characterised by UV/Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. A careful inspection of the exciton‐coupled circular dichroism (ECCD) and ¹H NMR spectra of the reaction mixture in solution, however, revealed the evolution and decay of intermediate species en route to the final 1:1 metal–ligand adduct. Consistent with this model, mass spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of multiple metal complexes in solution at high ligand‐to‐metal ratios, which were essentially unobservable by UV/Vis or fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Comparative studies with a bi‐dentate model system have fully established the functional role of the π‐conjugated ligand skeleton that dramatically enhances the thermodynamic stability of the 1:1 complex. In addition to serving as a useful spectroscopic handle to understand the otherwise “invisible” solution dynamics of this metal–ligand assembly process, temperature‐dependent changes in the proton resonances associated with the chiral ligands allowed us to determine the activation barrier (ΔG^≠) for the chirality switching between the thermodynamically stable but kinetically labile (P)‐ and (M)‐stereoisomers.