Synthesis and spectral characterization of some binuclear complexes designed from N4O and N2O3 donor Schiff-base ligands of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol

New pentadentate binucleating ligands containing phenoxide as an endogenous bridging group, 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol bis(carbohydrazone) (L¹H), and 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol bis(semicarbazone) (L²H), and their binuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of general formula [M₂LCl₃] · nH₂O with chloride as an exogenous bridge have been synthesized. The complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, thermal analysis, IR, Far-IR, NMR, UV–Vis, EPR, FAB-mass and magnetic data. The coordination mode (N₄O, N₂O₃), as well as endogenous phenoxide bridge and an exogenous chloride bridge have been established on the basis of IR, Far-IR and ¹H-NMR spectral data. Electronic spectral data of the complexes indicate square-pyramidal geometry. EPR spectra show line broadening, which is further supported by weak antiferromagnetic interaction from the room temperature magnetic moment data. All compounds show appreciable antimicrobial activity.     

Ligational behavior of S,N, and O donor quinoxaline derivatives toward the later first-row transition metal ions

Ligands derived from quinoxaline-2,3-(1,4H)-dithione are treated with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) chlorides to yield stable complexes. The prepared compounds are characterized by spectro-analytical techniques and magnetic susceptibility measurements, and the coordination behavior of ligands is discussed. All the complexes are octahedral and mononuclear with general formula [MLCl₂(H₂O)]. The electrochemical behavior of the synthesized compounds was investigated by cyclic voltammetry studies and the redox activity is explained.     

Electrochemical synthesis and structure of 2-amino-1-ethylbenzimidazole adducts of copper,cobalt, and zinc chelates in the N,N,S ligand environment

2-Amino-1-ethylbenzimidazole (L¹) adducts with copper(II), cobalt(II), and zinc(II) chelates of N,N,S tridentate tosylamino-functionalized mercaptopyrazole-containing Schiff base (H₂L), resulting from condensation of 2-tosylaminoaniline with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-formylpyrazole-5-thiol, with the general formula [ML · L¹] were obtained by electrochemical method. The structure and composition of the complexes were confirmed by the data of C, H, N elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and magnetochemical and X-ray spectral measurements. The mononuclear structure of the copper(II) adduct with coordination bond located on the pyridine type endocyclic nitrogen atom of 2-amino-1-ethylbenzimidazole was proved by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, antimicrobial, DNA binding and cleavage studies of some metal complexes involving symmetrical bidentate N, N donor Schiff base ligand

The Schiff base ligand, N,N′-bis-(4-isopropylbenzaldimine)-1,2-diaminoethane (L), obtained by the condensation of 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde and 1,2-diaminoethane, has been used to synthesize the complexes of the type [ML₂X₂] [M = Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II); X = Cl and OAc]. The newly synthesized ligand (L) and its complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, mass, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR, molar conductance, IR, UV–vis, magnetic moment, CV and thermal analyses, powder XRD and SEM. IR spectral data show that the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in a bidentate manner. The geometrical structures of these complexes are found to be octahedral. Interestingly, reaction with Cu(II) ion with this ligand undergoes hydrolytic cleavage to form ethylenediamine copper(II) complex and the corresponding aldehyde. The antimicrobial results indicate that the chloro complexes exhibit more activity than the acetato complexes. The complexes bind to CT–DNA by intercalation modes. Novel chloroform soluble ZnL₂Cl₂ complex exhibits tremendous antimicrobial, DNA binding and cleaving properties.     

Donor Atom Preference of Organoruthenium and Organorhodium Cations on the Interaction with Novel Ambidentate (N,N) and (O,O) Chelating Ligands in Aqueous Solution

Two novel, pyridinone-based chelating ligands containing separated (O,O) and (N_amino,N_het) chelating sets (N_amino = secondary amine; N_het = pyrrole N for H(L3) (1-(3-(((1H-pyrrole-2-yl)methyl)-amino)propyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4(1H)-one) or pyridine N for H(L5) (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(3-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)propyl)pyridin-4(1H)-one)) were synthesized via reduction of the appropriate imines. Their proton dissociation processes were explored, and the molecular structures of two synthons were assessed by X-ray crystallography. These ambidentate chelating ligands are intended to develop Co(III)/PGM (PGM = platinum group metal) heterobimetallic multitargeted complexes with anticancer potential. To explore their metal ion binding ability, the interaction with Pd(II), [(η⁶-p-cym)Ru]²⁺ and [(η⁵-Cp*)Rh]²⁺ (p-cym = 1-methyl-4-isopropylbenzene, Cp* = pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl anion) cations was studied in aqueous solution with the combined use of pH-potentiometry, NMR and HR ESI-MS. In general, organorhodium was found to form more labile complexes over ruthenium, while complexation of the (N,N) chelating set was slower than the processes of the pyridinone unit with (O,O) coordination. Formation of the organoruthenium complexes starts at lower pH (higher thermodynamic stabilities of the corresponding complexes) than for [(η⁵-Cp*)Rh]²⁺ but, due to the higher affinity of [η⁶-p-cym)Ru]²⁺ towards hydrolysis, the complexed ligands are capable of competing with hydroxide ion in a lesser extent than for the rhodium systems. As a result, under biologically relevant conditions, the rhodium binding effectivity of the ligands becomes comparable or even slightly higher than their effectivity towards ruthenium. Our results indicate that H(L3) is a less efficient (N,N) chelator for these metal ions than H(L5). Similarly, due to the relative effectivity of the (O,O) and (N,N) chelates at a 1:1 metal-ion-to-ligand ratio, H(L5) coordinates in a (N,N) manner to both cations in the whole pH range studied while, for H(L3), the complexation starts with (O,O) coordination. At a 2:1 metal-ion-to-ligand ratio, H(L3) cannot hinder the intensive hydrolysis of the second metal ion, although a small amount of 2:1 complex with [(η⁵-Cp*)Rh]²⁺ can also be detected.     

Synthesis,structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis of Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes with N2O donor Schiff base ligand

Two octahedral complexes [NiL(HL)]ClO₄.0.5CH₃OH and [CoL₂]ClO₄ have been synthesized with N₂O donor Schiff base ligand {((2-(phenylamino)ethyl)imino)methyl}phenol (HL) and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The molar conductivities data of the two complexes show that the complexes are 1:1 electrolyte. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data shows both Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes have distorted octahedral geometry and two ligands are coordinated to the metal centers and one ClO₄⁻ ion outside the coordination sphere. The intermolecular interactions in the complexes are evaluated by Hirshfeld surface analysis and revealed a significant contribution of non- or weakly polar interactions to the packing forces for both molecules, with crystal structure of Co(III) complex featuring short H/H contacts.     

Synthesis and spectral studies of new N2S2 and N2O2 Mannich base ligands and their metal complexes

New Mannich bases bis(thiosemicarbazide methyl) phosphinic acid H₃L¹ and bis(1-phenylsemicarbazide methyl) phosphinic acid H₃L² were synthesized from condensation of phosphinic acid and formaldehyde with thiosemicarbazide and 1-phenylsemicarbazide, respectively. Monomeric complexes of these ligands, of general formula K₂[Cr^III(L ⁿ )Cl₂], K₃[Fe^II(L¹)Cl₂], K₃[Mn^II(L²)Cl₂], and K[M(L ⁿ )] (M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) or Cd(II); n = 1, 2) are reported. The mode of bonding and overall geometry of the complexes were determined through IR, UV-Vis, NMR, and mass spectral studies, magnetic moment measurements, elemental analysis, metal content, and conductance. These studies revealed octahedral geometries for the Cr(III), Mn(II), and Fe(II) complexes, square planar for Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes and tetrahedral for the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes. Complex formation via molar ratio in DMF solution has been investigated and results were consistent to those found in the solid complexes with a ratio of (M : L) as (1 : 1).     

Transition metal complexes of novel tridentate S,N,O donor ligands

Summary Complexes of chromium(III), iron(III), cobalt(III), nickel(II) and copper(II) with salicylaldehyde N(1-piperidyl) thiocarbonyl hydrazone (spthH₂), salicylaldehyde N-(1-morpholyl) thiocarbonyl hydrazone (smthH₂), 2-hydroxy 4-methyl acetophenone N-(1-piperidyl) thiocarbonyl hydrazone (apthH₂) and 2-hydroxy 4-methyl acetophenone N-(1-morpholyl) thiocarbonyl hydrazone (amthH₂) have been prepared and characterized by analytical, spectral and magnetic measurements. Mixed ligand complexes of Cu^II-thiocarbonyl hydrazones and heterocyclic bases have been isolated. Depending on the nature of the metal salts used and the reaction conditions the thiocarbonyl hydrazones act as neutral or dibasic tridentate ligands.     

Biological screening and DNA nuclease activity of transition metal complexes of N2O2 type of Knoevenagel condensate Schiff base

A novel tetradentate N₂O₂ type of Knoevenagel condensate Schiff base, synthesized from 4‐amino‐2,3‐dimethyl‐1‐phenyl‐3‐pyrazolin‐5‐one (4‐aminoantipyrine) and 3‐(cinnamyl)‐pentane‐2,4‐dione, forms stable complexes with transition metal ions such as Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). The structural features were derived from elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, infrared, UV–visible, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. These complexes show high conductance values, supporting their electrolytic nature. Spectroscopic and other analytical data of the complexes suggest square planar geometry. In vitro calf thymus DNA binding studies were performed by employing UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, viscometry and cyclic voltammetry. These techniques indicate that all the metal complexes bind to DNA via intercalation mode. Antimicrobial screening of the synthesized ligand and complexes was conducted against Gram‐positive bacteria, Gram‐negative bacteria and fungi. These complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activities than the free Schiff base, as investigated using the minimum inhibitory concentration method. Gel electrophoresis reveals that these complexes also promote the cleavage of pUC18 plasmid DNA in the presence of activators. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical and chemical syntheses,structures, and optical properties of the zinc and cadmium complexes in the N,N,O,S-ligand environment

The chemical and electrochemical syntheses of the zinc (I) and cadmium (II) complexes are carried out on the basis of the tridentate Schiff base (H₂L), the condensation product of (2-tosylaminoaniline) N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfunamide with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-formylpyrazole-5-thiol. The structures and compositions of the synthesized metallochelates are proved by the data of C, H, and N elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. X-ray absorption spectroscopy is used to determine the structure of the zinc complex. The binuclear structure of the cadmium complex is confirmed by the X-ray diffraction data (CIF file CCDC no. 1471159). The optical properties of H₂L and the zinc and cadmium complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions are studied.     

Synthesis and characterization of luminescent zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with N,S-chelating Schiff base ligands

The reactions of zinc(II) acetate with a variety of 2-substituted benzothiazolines afforded tetrahedral mononuclear complexes with a N 2S 2 donor set, [Zn(RPhC(H) NC 6H 4 S) 2]. The obtained zinc(II) complexes can be divided into three groups based on the characteristics of the absorption spectra; Group 1 (R = 2,4,6-triMe ( 1), 2,6-diCl ( 2)) showing an intense band at 250-300 nm and a weak band at 400-450 nm, Group 2 (R = 4-Cl ( 3), H ( 4), 4-Et ( 5), 4-OMe ( 6)) showing two intense bands at 250-300 nm and a weak band at 400-450 nm, and Group 3 (R = 4-NMe 2 ( 7), 4-NEt 2 ( 8)) showing an intense band at 250-300 nm and two very intense bands at 350-450 nm. The Group 2 and Group 3 complexes exhibited a strong emission on irradiating with ultraviolet light while the Group 1 complexes were not emissive at room temperature. However, all the zinc(II) complexes were luminescent in CH 2Cl 2/toluene glass at 77 K, and their emission peak energies were found to correlate with the Hammett constant of the substituent at para position of a pendent phenyl ring in each complex. Similar reactions of cadmium(II) acetate with 2-substituted benzothiazolines were also carried out to synthesize corresponding cadmium(II) complexes. While [Cd(RPhC(H) NC 6H 4 S) 2] (R = 2,4,6-triMe ( 9)) with bulky substituents at ortho positions of a pendent phenyl ring had a tetrahedral mononuclear structure, other cadmium(II) complexes [Cd 2(RPhC(H) NC 6H 4 S) 4] (R = 4-Et ( 10), 4-OMe ( 11), 4-NMe 2 ( 12)) possessed S-bridged dinuclear structures. These cadmium(II) complexes, which are assumed to have a mononuclear structure in solution, showed photophysical properties similar to those of the corresponding zinc(II) complexes.     

Synthesis and spectral characterization of 1-phenylglyoxal bis{N(4)ethylthiosemicarbazone} and its metal complexes

Nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), and cadmium(II) complexes of 1-phenylglyoxal bis{N(4)-ethylthiosemicarbazone} have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. The bis(thiosemicarbazone) and its diamagnetic complexes have been characterized by their melting points, i.r., electronic, mass and ¹H n.m.r. spectra. The four-coordinate copper(II) complex was also studied by e.s.r. spectroscopy. Upon coordination, the loss of a proton from each thiosemicarbazone moiety occurs, and the bis(thiosemicarbazone) coordinates to nickel(II) and copper(II) as a dianionic, tetradentate N₂S₂ ligand; but for zinc(II) and cadmium(II), mass spectral results suggest the formation of binuclear complexes.     

Preparation and 1H NMR study of complexes of trimethylplatinum(IV) with some tridentate schiff base ligands containing,N, O,and S donor atoms

The Schiff base ligands I–V, made by condensing either 2-acetylpyridine (I), 8-quinolinecarboxaldehyde (II and III), or o-methylthiobenzaldehyde (IV and V) with either N,N′-dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane (I, II, and IV), 2-aminomethylpyridine (III), or 2-(2-aminoethyl)-pyridine (V), give ionic Pt^IVMe₃ complexes containing tridentate NNN- or SNN-bonded ligands. With PtMe₃Br ligand V gives a neutral complex XI in which it is coordinated only via the two N atoms. A monomeric Pt^IVMe₃ salicyladiminate complex results on treating the dimeric trimethylplatinum(IV) salicylaldehyde complex with the bidentate amine H₂N (CH₂)₃NMe₂. The complexes have been fully characterised by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Binary and Ternary Complexes of Copper(II) Involving N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine (Me4en) and Various Biologically Relevant Ligands

Binary and ternary complexes of copper(II) involving N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene-diamine (Me₄en) and various biologically relevant ligands containing different functional groups are investigated. The ligands (L) used are dicarboxylic acids, amino acids, peptides and DNA unit constituents. The ternary complexes of amino acids, dicarboxylic acids or peptides are formed by simultaneous reactions. The results showed the formation of Cu(Me₄en)(L) complexes with amino acids and dicarboxylic acids. The effect of chelate ring size of the dicarboxylic acid complexes on their stability constants was examined. Peptides form both Cu(Me₄en)(L) complexes and the corresponding deprotonated amide species Cu(Me₄en)(LH₋₁). The ternary complexes of copper(II) with (Me₄en) and DNA are formed in a stepwise process, whereby binding of copper(II) to (Me₄en) is followed by ligation of the DNA components. DNA constituents form both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with Cu(Me₄en)²⁺. The concentration distribution of the complexes in solution was evaluated. [Cu(Me₄en)(CBDCA)] and [Cu(Me₄en)(malonate)] are isolated and characterized by elemental analysis and infrared measurements.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ni(II) complexes of O,N-donor Schiff bases derived from acyl pyrazolone analogues

Two bidentate Schiff bases, 5-methyl-2-p-tolyl-4-(1-p-tolylimino-propyl)-2H-pyrazol-3-ol (L1) and 2-(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-methyl-4-(1-p-tolylimino-propyl)-2H-pyrazol-3-ol (L2), were synthesized by condensation of 4-acyl pyrazolones with p-toluidine in ethanol. These ligands have been characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), ¹H NMR, and mass spectra. A single crystal molecular structure of ligand L2 was also solved. Nickel(II) complexes of these ligands with general formula [ML₂?·?2H₂O] have been prepared by the interaction of aqueous solution of Ni-acetate with ethanolic solution of the appropriate ligand. The complexes were separated, analyzed, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis, Ni(II) determination, IR, UV-Vis, conductance, mass, and TGA-DTA data. Octahedral structure was proposed for the synthesized complexes.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization, and structural investigation of mononuclear salen-type Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of a potentially octadentate N2O6 Schiff base ligand derived from binaphthol

A new potentially octadentate N₂O₆ Schiff base ligand, H₂L derived from the condensation of 2,2′-(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diylbis(oxy))dianiline and o-vanillin, along with its copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes, is synthesized and has been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, as well as conductivity measurements. H₂L forms mononuclear complexes of 1:1 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry with Cu(II) and Zn(II), and conductivity data confirm the non-electrolyte nature of these complexes. The [ZnL] and [CuL] complexes display very different solid-state structures, as determined by X-ray crystallography. While the [ZnL] complex has a distorted octahedral geometry about the metal, the [CuL] complex displays a distorted square planar geometry about the copper, with long Cu–O(ether) distances of 2.667 Å.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and biological evaluation of mononuclear transition metal complexes of zwitterionic dehydroacetic acid N‐aroylhydrazone ligand

Synthesis and characterization of mononuclear transition metal complexes viz., Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with a newly designed ligand, (E)‐2‐benzamido‐N'‐(1‐(2‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐3‐yl) ethylidene) benzohydrazide ( H ₂ L ) are reported. Molecular structures of H ₂ L , Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The structures were stabilized by various intra/inter‐molecular H‐bonding, C‐H···π and π···π stacking interactions. H ₂ L exists in zwitterionic form and acts in a monoanionic manner. Ligand/metal ratio was 2:1 for cobalt, nickel and zinc, whereas 1:1 for the copper complex. Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes display distorted octahedral geometry, while the Cu(II) complex shows distorted square pyramidal geometry around the metal ion. Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2D fingerprint plots revealed that H ₂ L and its complexes were supported mainly by H?H, O?H and C?H intermolecular interactions. The synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity by gelatin zymography and the activity was comparable with tetracycline. Their cleavage behavior towards calf thymus DNA has been studied using agarose gel electrophoresis method. H ₂ L and Cu(II) complex were selected by National Cancer Institute (NCI) for in vitro single dose testing in the full NCI 60 cell lines panel assay. Finally, molecular docking simulation effectively proves the binding of all the synthesized compounds at cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) active sites.     

Spectral characterization,electrochemical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic studies on new metal(II) complexes containing N2O4 donor hexadentate Schiff base ligand

We report the biological activity of the new Schiff base ligand H₂L (H₂L = 6,6′-((1E,11E)-5,8-dioxa-2,11-diazadodeca-1,11-diene-1,12-diyl)bis(2,4-dichlorophenol)), its derived metal(II) complexes [Cu(L)] (1), [Co(L)] (2), [Ni(L)] (3) and [Zn(L)] (4), along with their structural characterizations by using various analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Electrochemical investigations showed that all of these Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes were reversibly reducible. Although the change of the number of unpaired electrons are different of the metal cations, they have an effect on the redox potentials of the Co(II)/(I), Ni(II)/(I) and Cu(II)/(I) couples. The ¹H NMR and FTIR data concluded that the Schiff base ligand H₂L acts as a hexadentate ligand coordinating with metal(II) ions through the oxygen atoms of the (COC), phenolic (COH) groups and nitrogen atom of the azomethine (CHN) group. UV-Visible absorption spectra studies clearly revealed the octahedral geometry of the prepared metal(II) complexes. Complexes 1 and 4 were found to be efficient in bringing about antimicrobial activities. The proposed mechanism of their antimicrobial activities has been discussed. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed the remarkable cytotoxicity of complex 1 (IC50 = 17 ± 1.3 μg/mL) on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells than Schiff base ligand H₂L and complexes 2–4. Moreover, AO/EB staining assay revealed cell death due to apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and the generation of ROS by the Schiff base ligand H₂L and its derived metal(II) complexes 1–4 may be a possible cause for their cytotoxic activity.     

Synthesis, stability, and complexation behavior of isolable salen-type N2S2 and N2SO ligands based on thiol and oxime functionalities

The new salen-type N(2)S(2) tetradentate ligands, H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(2), which have a donor set comprising oxime and thiol groups, were synthesized. These ligands are obtained as isolable colorless crystals, whereas the imine analogues are too unstable to be isolated. The unsymmetrical N(2)SO ligands, H(2)L(3) and H(2)L(4), were also obtained as stable compounds. When ligands H(2)L(1)-H(2)L(4) are heated above the melting points, they mainly decompose via cleavage of the N-O bonds of a thiosalicylaldoxime moiety to give 1,2-benzisothiazole derivatives. The complexation of the N(2)S(2) ligands (H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(2)) with nickel(II) acetate afforded square-planar mononuclear complexes [Ni(L(1))] and [Ni(L(2))], respectively. In contrast, the complexation of the N(2)SO ligand H(2)L(3) with nickel(II) acetate resulted in cleavage of the N-O bond, giving a tetranuclear complex having a cubane-type Ni(4)O(4) core. The N-O bonds of H(2)L(1)-H(2)L(4) are more readily cleaved when the ligands are allowed to react with copper(II) acetate. In these cases, the alkoxo-bridged dinuclear complexes having a Cu-O-Cu-O four-membered ring are obtained. On the other hand, mononuclear complexes can be obtained by complexation of the ligands (H(2)L(1) or H(2)L(3)) with palladium(II) acetate without N-O bond cleavage.     

Structural studies and anticancer activity of a novel (N6O4) macrocyclic ligand and its Cu(II) complexes

A novel (N6O4) macrocyclic ligand (L) and its Cu(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, thermal (TG/DTG), magnetic, and conductivity measurements. Quantum chemical calculations have also been carried out at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) to study the structure of the ligand and one of its complexes. The results show a novel macrocyclic ligand with potential amide oxygen atom, amide and amine nitrogen atoms available for coordination. Distorted square pyramidal ([Cu(L)Cl]Cl·2.5H2O (1), [Cu(L)NO3]NO(3)·3.5H2O (2), and [Cu(L)Br]Br·3H2O (4) and octahedral ([Cu(L)(OAc)2]·5H2O (3)) geometries were proposed. The EPR data of 1, 2, and 4 indicate d1x2(-y)2 ground state of Cu(II) ion with a considerable exchange interaction. The measured cytotoxicity for L and its complexes (1, 2) against three tumor cell lines showed that coordination improves the antitumor activity of the ligand; IC50 for breast cancer cells are ≈8.5, 3, and 4 μg/mL for L and complexes (1) and (2), respectively.