Synthesis,spectroscopy, thermal and biological aspect of novel six‐coordinated dimeric iron(III) mixed‐ligand complexes

The mixed‐ligand complexes of iron(III) with 1‐cyclopropyl‐6‐fluoro‐4‐oxo‐7‐piperazin‐1‐yl‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid and various neutral bidentate Schiff base ligands were prepared. The structure of mixed‐ligand complexes was investigated using spectral, physicochemical and elemental analyses. Biocidal activity was determined using agar plate technique against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens . The result showed a significant increase in a biocidal activity compared with parent ligands, metal salts and standard drugs (ofloxacin, levofloxacin). DNA binding and cleavage studies were carried out using absorption titration and gel electrophoresis techniques, respectively. The binding constant of Fe(III) complexes was obtained in the range 2.5–4.0 × 10⁴ M ^?1. The DNA binding and cleavage efficacy were raised in mixed‐ligand complexes as compared with parental ligands and metal salts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.