Spectroscopic validation and biological screening of new iron(III) complexes with N,O donor ligands

Monometallic trivalent complexes of iron were synthesized by reaction between N, O type donor ligands (L) or (L′) and metal salt in a 1:2 (metal:ligand) molar ratio. Structure and composition of metal complexes were evaluated by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic moment measurements, and various spectroscopic studies viz. FTIR, UV–visible, and ESI–MS. Analytical and molar conductance data are consistent with the formulation of complexes as [Fe(L)₂X₂]·X and [Fe(L′)₂X₂]·X (where; L = Hydrazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester, L′ = Hydrazine carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and X = Cl^?, Br^? or NO₃ ^?) due to their 1:1 electrolytic nature. IR spectral data revealed bi-dentate coordination behavior of ligands. An octahedral geometry may be assigned for metal complexes on the basis of electronic absorption data and magnetic moment parameters. The compounds were evaluated for their biological activity by in vitro antimicrobial screening against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi and fungi Candida parapsilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicate that metal complexes exhibit more activity than free ligands against studied microbes.