Synthesis and in vitro biology of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zinc(II) complexes of functionalized beta-diketone bearing energy buried potential antibacterial and antiviral O,O pharmacophore sites

The clinically active functionalized β-diketones 1-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2″-substitutedphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione (L₁)–(L₂) have been synthesized from Baker–Venkataraman transformation of 2,4-diaroyloxyacetophenones. Their transition metal complexes (1)–(8) have been prepared and characterized by physical, spectral and analytical data. The functionalized beta-diketone potentially acts as bidentate ligand and co-ordinate with the transition metal atom through beta-diketo system. The complexes have general formula ML₂] where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zinc(II) and L = ligand. The 1-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2″-substitutedphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione and their transition metal complexes have been screened for in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant bioassay. The biological activity data show that the transition metal complexes are more potent antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant agents than the parent functionalized beta-diketone against different bacterial and fungal species. This constitutes a new group of compounds that can be used as potential metal derived drugs. Ultimately, here we can prompt about the use of metals for the drugs. The metal complexes were also studied for their thermogravimetric analyses.