Synthesis, crystal structures and antibacterial activities of schiff base ligand and its cobalt(II) complex

The Schiff base ligand, HL · 0.5C₂H₅OH (HL = methyl N-(4-chlorophenyl)(3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-ylindene)methyl]valine), was derived from condensation of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(p-chlorbenzyl)-5-pyrazolone with L-valine methyl ester in a 1: 1 molar ratio in methanol, ether and isopropanol solution. Reaction of ligand with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O (in a 2: 1 molar ratio) in methanol solution afforded a mononuclear cobalt(II) complex, Co(L)₂] (I). Molecular structures of HL · 0.5C₂H₅OH and complex I were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The enamine-keto form of the ligand has turned to imine form in complex I. Each Co(II) center in complex I is in a octahedral N₂O₄ coordination sphere. Both the Schiff base ligand and its Co(II) complex have been tested in vitro with agar dilution method to evaluate their antibacterial activity against bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. It has been found that they have higher activity against Escherichia coli than Staphylococcus aureus, and complex I has higher activity than HL · 0.5C₂H₅OH against the same bacteria.