Mononuclear Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of 2‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzamido)‐N'‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide: Structural insight and biological assay

A series of mononuclear metal complexes of Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with 2‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzamido)‐N′‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide ( LH ₃ ) have been synthesized and characterized using various physico‐chemical, spectroscopic and single crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. Structural studies of Co( LH )( LH ₂ )]·H₂O ( 4 ) revealed the presence of both amido and imidol tautomeric forms of LH ₃ , resulting in a distorted octahedral geometry around the Co(III) ion. Ni( LH )(H₂O)]·H₂O ( 5 ) and Cu( LH )(H₂O)]·H₂O ( 6 ) are isomorphous structures and crystallize in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group. The crystal structures of 4 , 5 and 6 are stabilized by hydrogen bonds formed by the enclathrated water molecules, C‐H···π and π···π interactions. Complexes along with the ligand ( LH ₃ ) were screened for their in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity (carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method) and in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH free radical scavenging assay). Metal complexes have shown significant anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant potential.