Dicoumarol complexes of Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III): preparation,characterization, in‐vitro antibacterial and DNA binding activity

3‐3′‐Benzylidenebis4‐hydroxycoumarin] or 4‐nitro,3‐3′‐benzylidenebis4‐hydroxycoumarin] or 4‐methoxy,3‐3′‐benzylidenebis4‐hydroxycoumarin] and their complexes with Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) were synthesized and characterized using ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR spectra, electronic spectra, magnetic measurements and elemental analyses. The ligands, metal salts, complexes, control and standard drug were tested for their in‐vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Serratia marcescens. The metal complexes exhibit good activity against bacterial strains compared with parental compounds and moderate compared with the standard drug (ciprofloxacin). In‐vitro DNA‐binding activity was carried out using agarose gel electrophoresis. The synthesized compounds show effective DNA‐binding activity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.