Effect of the formation of silver nano‐binuclear complex on the refinement of cytotoxic and antibacterial potency of coumarin Schiff base: Spectroscopy,thermal, X‐ray diffraction analyses and density functional theory calculations

A new Schiff base (SCH) was prepared using 8‐acetyl‐7‐hydroxy‐4‐methylcoumarin and sulfaclozine. Its silver complex was also synthesized. These compounds were subjected to elemental and spectral analyses. The silver complex was also subjected to thermogravimetric analysis, molar conductance measurements, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and X‐ray diffraction measurements. The formula of the complex was determined as (Ag₂SCH(NO₃)₂]. The molar conductance indicates its non‐electrolyte character. The electronic structure and nonlinear optical parameters of SCH and its complex were investigated theoretically at the B3LYP/GENECP level. The geometry of the studied complex is non‐planar as indicated from the dihedral angles between central Ag metal ion and coordinated centres of SCH. Density functional theory calculations were also carried out to calculate the global properties of hardness, global softness and electronegativity. The calculated energy gap between HOMO and LUMO energies shows that charge transfer occurs within the studied complex. The total static dipole moment, the mean polarizability, the anisotropy of the polarizability and the mean first‐order hyperpolarizability were calculated and compared with those of urea as a reference material. The results of the mean first‐order hyperpolarizability showed that SCH and its silver complex are excellent candidates as nonlinear optical materials. The compounds were screened for their antimicrobial effect against various species of bacteria and fungi. Their anticancer activities were evaluated in vitro against the human cancer cell line MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma).