Synthesis and Biological Activity of Novel (E,E)-vic-dioximes

A novel vic-dioxime ligand containing the thiourea group, (4E,5E)-1,3-bis{4-(4-methylphenylamino)methyl] phenyl}- 2-thiooxaimidazoline-4,5-dione dioxime, (4) mmdH₂ has been prepared from N,N′-bis{4-(4-methylphenylamino)methyl]phenyl}thiourea, (3) mft and cyanogen di-N-oxide. Mononuclear M(mmdH)₂], where M = Ni^II, Co^II and Cu^II complexes of the (4) mmdH₂ bidentate ligand have been obtained with a 1:2 metal:ligand ratio, as do most the vic-dioximes. The complexes are formed by coordination of N, N atoms of the ligand. The vic-dioxime ligand and its some transition metal complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance data, magnetic susceptibility, i.r., ¹H-n.m.r and u.v.–vis. spectroscopy. Conductivity measurements have shown that mononuclear complexes are non-electrolytes. In addition, the ligands and metal complexes were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities by agar well diffusion techniques using DMF as solvent.