Electronic, e.p.r., cyclic voltammetric and biological activities of copper(II) complexes with macrocyclic ligands

Eight new macrocyclic ligands have been prepared by the reaction of the precursor diketone (benzil, glyoxal, diacetyl or 2,3-pentanedione) with a diamine (thiosemicarbazide or semicarbazide). Copper(II) complexes of these ligands have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, i.r., u.v.–vis, ¹H-n.m.r., mass and e.p.r. spectral studies. Mass, n.m.r. and i.r. data indicate the condensation of the diamine and diketone and the whole molecular ion structure. g-Values are calculated for all of the complexes in polycrystalline form as well as in DMSO solution. Spin Hamiltonian values and bonding parameters have also been calculated which indicates that an unpaired electron is present in the orbital. The metal-ligand bonding parameters shows strong in-plane σ sigma and in-plane π bonding. The magnetic and spectral data indicate tetragonal geometry for all of the complexes except [CuH₂L⁴]Cl₂ and [CuH₂L⁴]Cl₂ which are square planar. From c.v. data reversible Cu^II/Cu^I couples are observed for these complexes. The macrocyclic complexes show more antibacterial and antiviral activity as compared to the ligands. The antibacterial activities of the compounds were tested against S. aureus, S. subtillis and E. coli.