Structural studies on cadmium(II), cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 1-malonyl-bis(4-phenylthiosemicarbazide)

Summary Several new complexes of the title ligand (H₂MPTS) with Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, and Cd^II have been prepared. Structural assignments of the complexes have been made based on elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic moment and spectral (i.r.,¹H n.m.r., reflectance) studies. The compounds are non-conductors in dimethylsulphoxide. The neutral molecule is coordinated to the metal(II) sulphate as a bidentate ligandvia the two carbonyl groups. The ligand reacts with the metal(II) chlorides with the liberation of two hydrogen ions, behaving as a bianionic quadridentate (NONO) donor. Enolization is confirmed by the pH-titration of H₂ MPTS and its metal(II) complexes against NaOH. A distorted octahedral structure is proposed for the Cu^II complex, while a square planar structure is suggested for both Co^II and Ni^II complexes. The stoichiometry of the complexes formed in EtOH and buffer solutions, their apparent formation constants and the ranges for obedience to Beer's law are reported for Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II ions. The ligand pK values are calculated. The antimicrobial activity of H₂ MPTS and its Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Mn^II complexes is demonstrated.