SYNTHESIS , STRUCTURAL , SPECTRAL AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF METALS ENDOWED 1 , 2 , 4-TRIAZOLE

Biologically active triazole Schiff base ligand 2,4-dichloro-6-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3ylimino)methyl]phenol (A) has been synthesized by the condensation reaction of an equimolar amount of 1H1,2,4-triazole-3-amine and 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde and then it coordinated with salts of metals [VO(IV), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] in 2:1 molar ratio to derive a series of transition metal chelates (1)-(6). All the compounds were characterized by various physical, spectral, analytical techniques and elemental analysis. Spectral characterization and magnetic moment data of complexes revealed square pyramidal geometry for vanadium complex and octahedral for remaining (2)-(6) complexes. Quantum chemical calculation has been carried out to explore optimized geometry and electronic structure of the ligand. Density functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP/6-311+g(d,p) method was performed to determine vibrational bands, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and natural bond analysis (NBO) of the ligand. NBO analysis showed that the ligand bears higher molecular stability because of hyper conjugate interactions. Computational study results revealed that there was a close interaction of theoretical and experimental spectroscopic data. Global reactivity descriptors calculated by the energies of FMOs, indicated ligand to be bioactive. The synthesized compounds were studied for antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and antiglycation activity and the results revealed that ligand has remarkable activity which considerably increased upon chelation.


INTRODUCTION
For the last two decades, Schiff bases were in continuous surfacing due to their ease in preparation and variety of chemical reactions [1]. Schiff bases form an important class of extensively used organic compounds and have various applications in different fields including biological, analytical and inorganic chemistry [2]. Literature revealed that the reactivity of Schiff bases enhanced significantly in the presence of OH group, primarily when the OH group is attached at ortho position [3]. Schiff bases exhibit various biological activities and these activities were increased by coordination with metal ions [4]. Various transition metals coordinated with bi, tri and tetradentate Schiff base ligands having sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen donor atoms which have played significant role in biological systems [5]. In contrast to 4d and 5d transition metal complexes, 3d metal complexes have revealed valuable imperative properties as they can easily enter to the microbial cell membrane and have low toxicity [6].
Microbial infection is the common growing health problem in contemporary medicinal field and the use of antibiotic drugs is inevitable. Regardless of the availability of several antibiotic and chemotherapeutic drugs, the emergence of various old and new antibiotic resistant bacterial species created a substantial need for the innovative classes of antibacterial agents [7]. Design and development of new metal-based drugs is an effective approach to fight against the current threat of anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant resistance [8]. Therefore, compounds which show activity against resistant strains, with enhanced safety and pharmacokinetic profiles are the main goals for the current and future researchers in this area [9].
Triazole is a heterocyclic ring that is considered as pharmacologically imperative scaffold and certainly used in many drugs associated with various biological activities [10]. Triazole based transition metal complexes have shown substantial pharmaceutical and biological activities such as antibacterial [11], antifungal [12], anticancer [13], herbicidal [14], cytotoxic [15], antidiabetic [16], DNA binding and cleavage [17], anti-inflammatory and have abilities to reduce the radical scavenging as well as oxidative properties [18]. Motivated by the above mentioned facts and in the continuation of our research work [19] for biologically potent nitrogen and oxygen endowed transition metal complexes; in the present paper we wish to report the facile synthesis of another novel nitrogen based triazole Schiff base, 2,4-dichloro-6-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylimino)methyl]phenol by the condensation reaction of 1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine and 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde and its transition metal complexes [VO(IV), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] (Scheme 1). In addition to the synthesis of these compounds, elucidation of their chemical structures was done by different spectroscopic techniques and DFT based calculations. Furthermore, the investigated compounds were screened for antibacterial, antiglycation, antifungal and antioxidant activities.

EXPERIMENTAL
Analytical grade chemicals purchased from authentic sources were used in this research; Sigma Aldrich and Merck. Distilled ethanol and methanol were used in synthetic reaction of ligand and its transition metal complexes, respectively. Stuart instrument was used for the determination of melting point of synthesized ligand and its metal complexes. A high tech Shimadzu UV-4000 Spectrophotometer was used for UV-Vis analysis. Infrared spectroscopic technique was used for the purpose of recording the wavelength of solid sample at 600-4000 cm -1 with the help of Nicolet FT-IR Impact 400D infra-red spectrometer. 1 H and 13 CNMR of synthesized ligand was performed by using Bruker Advance 300 MHz (Bruker Biospin GMBH Rheinstetten, Germany). For the mass spectrometric analysis, ligand was dissolved in MeOH and injected directly through direct insertion pump into the LTQ XL Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (Thermo Scientific, USA) equipped with an Electro Spray Ionization (ESI) probe. Ligand was analyzed in both positive as well as negative ion modes with a 10 µL min -l flow rate. Capillary temperature and sheath gas flow (N 2 ) were set at 350 °C and 30 arbitrary units, respectively. Then, data was attained at both negative and positive total ion full scan mode with a range of mass scan of m/z 50-700 using Xcalibur software. The full scan ESI-mass spectrum was used to characterize the ligand, which gave specific m/z peaks by producing [M+Na] + , [M-H]and [M+H] + ions. Moreover, the ESI-MS/MS fragmentation pattern of recognized peaks was used to produce the daughter ions to confirm the molecular identity of ligand. All the antibacterial and antifungal activities were performed at Department of Biochemistry, Nawaz Sharif Medical College, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan and antioxidant activity was carried out at Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan.

Synthesis of ligand
To synthesize ligand (A), magnetically refluxed 10 mL ethanolic solution of 3,5dichlorosalicylaldehyde (0.191 g, 1 mmol) was added in double neck flask with continuous stirring. After half an hour of refluxing, 1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine (0.084 g, 1 mmol) was added. The reaction was continuously monitored by performing thin layer chromatography (TLC). The pale-yellow precipitates of the product were obtained after refluxing of 6 hours (Scheme 1). The precipitated product was cooled at room temperature overnight followed by filtration, washing and drying. The obtained product was recrystallized in a mixture of ethanol and dioxane at room temperature to get pure compound.

Synthesis of transition metal complexes
All the transition metal chelates were synthesized by using standard procedure with molar ratio of ligand and metal salts 2:1. In this method, (2.57 g, 10 mmol) of ligand was mixed with methanol in double neck flask and refluxed for half an hour. After that, respective metallic salt (5 mmol) was added and reaction was monitored by using TLC. Different metallic salts were used at different time for complex formation. After 5-7 hours of refluxing, precipitates of metal complexes were formed; precipitates were separated by filtration and were cooled at room temperature over night. The produced metal complexes were recrystallized in a mixture of methanol and dioxane at room temperature to get pure compound. Scheme 1. Synthetic scheme of triazole ligand (A) and its metal complexes (1)-(6).

Biological activities
All the newly synthesized metal based triazole complexes were evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and antiglycation activities.

In-vitro antibacterial activity
The novel synthesized ligand (A) and its transition metal complexes were tested against four bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Subtilis bacillus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas syringae) through disc diffusion method [20]. The materials used in antibacterial activity including nutrient broth, Petri-dishes and filter paper discs were autoclaved at 121 °C for 30 min. After heating the semi-liquid media of nutrient broth, it was poured into Petri plates and kept for solidification in fume hood, then the prepared inoculum was dispersed on solidified media by using glass loop spreader. Filter paper discs were kept on solidified bacterial inoculum after dipping from standard and samples. All the solutions were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Concentration of samples and standard solution was kept 5 mg/mL. Augmentin syrup was used as standard drug because of its broad spectrum activity. After that, the Petri dishes were kept in incubator at 37 °C and then the inhibition area was determined after 48 hours.

In-vitro antifungal activity
The antifungal activity of newly synthesized ligand (A) and its transition metal chelates was performed by using disc diffusion method [20] against two fungal strains (Alterneria alternate and Drechslera australensis). Terbicil capsule was used as standard drug. All the samples and standard solutions were prepared in DMSO by using micropipette. After keeping the Petri dishes in incubator at 37 °C for 72 hours, the inhibition zones were noted.

Antioxidant activity
By using DPPH method, reducing power method and concentration of total phenolic content, anti-oxidant activity of synthesized compounds was determined.

DPPH method
Antioxidant activity of newly synthesized compounds was determined by adopting recommended procedure by using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) [21]. The procedure was carried out by using different concentrations (2 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL) of sample solutions and 20 mg/100 mL solution of DPPH radical. The reaction mixture was prepared by mixing 1 mL of DPPH solution in 4 mL of methanol and 100 µL of sample solution in test tubes. The tubes were wrapped with aluminum foil and kept in incubator (37 °C) for half an hour. Butylatedhydroxytoluene (BHT) was used as the standard. The absorption of synthesized compounds was measured at 517 nm and the percentage inhibition was calculated by using following formula:

Reducing power method
Total antioxidant capability of triazole ligand and its metal complexes was determined by using standard procedure [22]. In this method, 1 mL sample solutions having concentration of 1 mg/mL were tested. The sample solutions were prepared in pure DMSO and mixed with 2.5 mL of 2 M sodium phosphate buffer having pH 6.6 and 5 mL of 1% potassium ferricyanide. Then the reaction mixture was incubated at 50 °C for 30 min. After that, 5 mL of 10% trichloroacetic acid was added and centrifuged at 1000 RPM for 10 min. After centrifugation, two separate layers were formed. From upper layer, 5 mL sample solution was taken and mixed with 5 mL of distilled water and 1 mL of 1% ferric chloride. At the end, absorbance was measured at 700 nm with the help of spectrophotometer.

Concentration of total phenolic content
The absorbance of total phenolic content of ligand and its transition complexes was checked by using standard procedure [23]. In this method, 0.1 mL of sample solutions having concentration 2 mg/mL was mixed with 2 mL of sodium carbonate (7.5%), 1 mL of 10% Folin reagent and 4 mL of methanol in seven different test tubes (one test tube for ligand and six for complexes). Test tubes were vortexed for 30 s and kept the whole reaction mixture at 37 °C for half an hour. Finally, after incubation, the absorbance was measured at 760 nm by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Gallic acid was used as a standard in this procedure. Quantifications of the sample triplicate were made by using the standard calibration curve of the gallic acid. Measurement was carried out for triplicate samples for each complex.

Antiglycation activity of ligand and its metal complexes
In this method glucose working solution having 1 M concentration was prepared in distilled water. A buffer was formed by using 3.56 g of di-sodium-hydrogen phosphate and 2.76 g of sodium-di-hydrogen phosphate in 100 mL of deionized water. In order to maintain the pH of buffer solution at 7.4; mixed the 38.5 mL of di-sodium-hydrogen phosphate with 11.5 mL of sodium-di-hydrogen phosphate. Similarly, 2 mg/mL solutions of BSA (bovine serum albumin), TCA (trichloro acetic acid) and rutin were prepared accordingly in distilled water. Rutin was used as standard. Three different solutions were prepared, i.e. positive (BSA + Buffer + Glucose), negative (BSA + Buffer) and standard (BSA + Rutin + Glucose). All the sample solutions were prepared in methanol with concentration of 2 mg/mL. The reaction was carried out in small plastic tubes having 1 mL volume by using micropipette [24]. All the tubes were kept at 37 °C in an incubator for seven days. After seven days reaction was stopped by adding the 200 μL solution of TCA having concentration of 2 mg/mL in each tube. Then centrifuge all the tubes at 8000 rpm for 5 min in order to form the pellets. At the end, added 100 μL buffers in each tube and the fluorescence results were checked by using nano-flourometer instrument. Excitation and emission wavelengths of nano-fluorometer were 330 and 440 nm, respectively.

Computational procedure
Density functional theory (DFT) study of synthesized triazole compounds was performed using Gaussian program. The input files were recorded to use Gauss View [25]. Ultraviolet-visible analysis was performed in combination of B3LYP/6-311+g (d,p) in gas phase. Avogadro, Chemcraft and Gauss View softwares were used to check the output files [26].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The condensation of 1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-amine with 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde in an equimolar ratio resulted to form a new triazole Schiff base which was an air and moisture stable yellow colored solid compound. The synthesized ligand was soluble in methanol, ethanol, dioxane, DMSO and DMF at room temperature. The ligand readily reacted with salts of transition metals [VO(IV), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] in methanol to form their metal complexes by using ligand and metallic salt in 2:1 molar ratio, respectively. All the synthesized metal complexes were intensely colored except Zn(II) complex (6) that was colorless. The metal complexes decomposed without melting. The spectral data showed that the ligand coordinated with the metal ions in bidentate and tridentate manner via NO and NNO donor sites. The spectral data of the prepared ligand and its metal complexes shown in Table 1, was in good agreement with their structures indicating the high purity of all the compounds.  1 H-NMR spectrum of triazole Schiff base ligand (A) was recorded in DMSO solvent to determine the structural properties. The inspection of spectrum presented the representative peaks of N-H, (HC=N) and C-H protons of synthesized triazole compound at 14.29, 9.41 and 8.64 ppm, respectively as a singlet. Furthermore, two signals; doublets at 7.76 and 7.92 ppm for aromatic protons in benzene ring were observed. Higher chemical shift values of these two protons were due to the attachment of more electronegative chloro group with neighbouring carbon atoms. The proton signal at 7.92 ppm was due to C-H groups which are in between the two chloro attached carbon atoms. The value of proton of OH group in ligand moved downfield and was observed at 13.85 ppm due to the possibility of hydrogen bonding of oxygen atom and proton of azomethine carbon [27]. The examination of all observed signals confirmed the formation of triazole Schiff base ligand (A) and its proposed structure. 13 C-NMR spectrum 13 C-NMR spectrum of ligand was recorded in DMSO solvent. In 13 C-NMR spectral data, all the numbers of carbon atoms were found in their expected regions. The 13 C-NMR data showed the azomethine carbon (C 13 ) peak at 164.73 ppm which confirmed the condensation reaction. Due to the possibility of hydrogen bonding between oxygen of OH group and proton of azomethine carbon, aromatic ring carbon (C 8 ) displayed peak at 133.30 ppm. Carbon atom (C 1 ) which is present between the two nitrogen atoms in triazole ring, exhibited peak at 145.18 ppm, from which confirmed the formation of ligand (A). Furthermore (C 9 ), (C 10 ), (C 11 ), (C 12 ) and (C 13 ) exhibited their respective peaks at 131.56, 122.05, 123.29, 135.50 and 164.73 ppm, individually which are in close agreement to their experimental values and compromised well with the number of carbon atoms present in the proposed structure of ligand.

Mass spectrum
The mass spectral data and fragmentation pattern of the triazole Schiff base ligand (A) intensely confirmed the formation of the ligand, its proposed structure along with its bonding pattern. It was concluded from the mass spectrum of the ligand that different peaks of various fragments from parent ligand molecule at different intensities gave the idea of molecular ion peak and base peaks of synthesized compound. The molecular ion peak was noted at mass to charge ratio (m/z) of 257.07 which indicated the formation of ligand. The base peak of most stable fragment of parent ligand molecule was observed at m/z = 180.17. Fragmentation pattern of ligand resulted from the breakdown of C-N, C=N, C-O, O-H, C-Cl and C-C.

IR spectra
The main IR vibrational bands of the triazole Schiff base and its metal complexes were found in their expected regions. IR spectrum of triazole ligand (A) confirmed the formation of new functional group, azomethine (HC=N) at 1640 cm -1 that strongly indicated the condensation reaction. Ligand also showed band at 3180 cm -1 due to the presence of -OH group [28]. The appearance of peaks at 1585, 1380 and 1020 cm -1 indicated the presence of C=N of triazole, C-O and N-N groups, respectively [29]. There was a close agreement between both values of experimental results taken from IR spectrum and theoretically computed data from IR spectrum of ligand. After complex formation, band of azomethine vibration at 1640 cm -1 shifted to 1620-1625 cm -1 thus indicating the coordination of the azomethine-N to the transition metals (V, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) [30]. Similarly, band of C-O at 1380 cm -1 was shifted to1355-1360 cm -1 and disappearance of OH band at 3180 cm -1 hence confirming the deprotonation and coordination of salicylidene-OH [31]. On the other hands, there was no shifting of N-N and N-H bands showing their non-involvement in the coordination [32] and confirmed the proposed structures of the metal complexes.

Molar conductance and magnetic moment measurements
The concentration of 0.01 M solution of DMF was used to determine the molar conductance of synthesized metal complexes by using Inolab Cond 720 Conducto-meter at room temperature.
The conductance values were observed in the range of 12-20  -1 cm 2 mol -1 , hence confirming the non-electrolytic nature of the metal complexes [33]. The magnetic moments of newly synthesized compounds were determined by using Gouy balance. Some of compounds showed high magnetic moments while some showed low magnetic moments depending upon the magnetic power of unpaired and paired electrons. VO(IV) complexes exhibited magnetic moment value of 4.42 BM that was indicative of one unpaired electron, and supporting its square-pyramidal geometry. Magnetic moment values of Cu(II) and Fe(II) complexes were found to be 1.75 and 5.59 BM [19], which indicated the presence of one and four unpaired electrons of copper and iron, respectively. Both complexes showed octahedral geometry which is most stable. Co(II) complex exhibited the magnetic moment value of 4.39 BM that clued the presence of three unpaired electrons and octahedral geometry of the complex. The measured magnetic moment value of Ni(II) complex was found to be 3.60 BM which confirmed the presence of two unpaired electrons and octahedral geometry of the complex. Zn(II) did not show magnetic moment value indicating the diamagnetic nature of the zinc complex [34].

Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis
The NBO analysis of ligand (A) was done by using B3LYP/6-311+g(d,p) method to determine the perturbation theory. The data obtained from NBO analysis was helpful to find the conjugation as well as the interaction between contributors and acceptors gave massive amount of stabilization energy. Strength of electron donors and electron acceptors was easily affected by stabilization energy, which was achieved by using NBO analysis [35]. A lot of information was obtained from calculations of ligand by using NBO analysis, here just promising transitions are explained which contain higher value of stability. The conjugation of the entire framework can also be explained on basis of second-order stabilization energy. The stabilization energy E equation; where q i , is the contributor orbital occupancy, F( element whereas, ε j and ε i are the diagonal elements, respectively. NBO study exhibited bunch of intra-molecular charge transfer (ICT) interactions. between different atoms. The prominent atoms in which charge interact -C 6 ) → π* (C 1 -C 2 ), π (C 5stabilization energies 52.57, 44.68 and 5.729 kcal/mol, present in the molecule. The assignment H 4 ), Cl 15 → σ* (C 1 -C 2 ), N 17 → 1.240 kcal/mol, respectively as compared to that of other atoms which contain lone pairs. shown conjugated interactions of different atoms show charge transformations among each other. The calculated NBO analysis exhibited high interactions of atoms with each other, explaining the stability of compound and gave an authentic idea about the stabilization en

Mulliken atomic charges (MAC) analysis
Mulliken atomic charge analysis is a significant portion in quantum chemistry to determine the chemical action in molecular structure; as the atomic charges are highly affected by electronic configuration, their polarity and characteristics of molecules [36]. The Mulliken atomic charges of ligand (A) were determined by using B3LYP/6 charges exhibited the presence of highly electronegative atoms such as (12   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(2) conjugation as well as the interaction of charge transfer in the molecule. The interactions and acceptors gave massive amount of stabilization energy. Strength of electron donors and electron acceptors was easily affected by stabilization energy, which was NBO analysis [35]. A lot of information was obtained from calculations of ligand by using NBO analysis, here just promising transitions are explained which contain higher value of stability. The conjugation of the entire framework can also be explained on order stabilization energy. The stabilization energy E (2) is determined by , is the contributor orbital occupancy, F( i.,j ) is the off diagonal NBO Fock matrix are the diagonal elements, respectively. NBO study exhibited bunch of molecular charge transfer (ICT) interactions. The charge transformations take place between different atoms. The prominent atoms in which charge interactions take place are; C 6 ) → π* (C 3 -C 4 ) and π (C 1 -C 2 ) → π* (C 5 -C 6 ) have higher stabilization energies 52.57, 44.68 and 5.729 kcal/mol, respectively as compared to other atoms present in the molecule. The assignment of charge between the lone pairs are; O 12 → σ* → π* (N 19 -C 20 ), leads higher stabilization energies 4.073, 2.909, respectively as compared to that of other atoms which contain lone pairs. All the gated interactions of different atoms show charge transformations among each other. The calculated NBO analysis exhibited high interactions of atoms with each other, explaining the stability of compound and gave an authentic idea about the stabilization energy.

Mulliken atomic charges (MAC) analysis
Mulliken atomic charge analysis is a significant portion in quantum chemistry to determine the chemical action in molecular structure; as the atomic charges are highly affected by electronic r polarity and characteristics of molecules [36]. The Mulliken atomic charges ) were determined by using B3LYP The interactions and acceptors gave massive amount of stabilization energy. Strength of electron donors and electron acceptors was easily affected by stabilization energy, which was NBO analysis [35]. A lot of information was obtained from calculations of ligand by using NBO analysis, here just promising transitions are explained which contain higher value of stability. The conjugation of the entire framework can also be explained on the is determined by (2) ) is the off diagonal NBO Fock matrix are the diagonal elements, respectively. NBO study exhibited bunch of The charge transformations take place ions take place are; π (C 5 ) have higher respectively as compared to other atoms σ* (C 3 -4.073, 2.909, All the gated interactions of different atoms show charge transformations among each other. The calculated NBO analysis exhibited high interactions of atoms with each other, ergy. Mulliken atomic charge analysis is a significant portion in quantum chemistry to determine the chemical action in molecular structure; as the atomic charges are highly affected by electronic r polarity and characteristics of molecules [36]. The resulted experimental and computational data of ligand (A) including its intensity and vibrations is given in Table 2. Theoretical study was carried out by B3LYP/6-311+g(d,p) basis set and results were in close agreement with experimental band of IR. 00.9429 (as)N-Haromatic  = stretching, = rocking, b = bending, s = symmetric, as = asymmetric. Intensity (I) in kJ/mol and frequency ( ) in cm -1 .

UV-Visible analysis
UV-Visible spectral study for ligand (A) was performed by using time dependent density fractional theory (TD-DFT) in the gas phase using B3LYP/6-311+g(d,p) to explain the characteristics of vertical electronic transitions [19]. Two transitions of electrons were obtained at 328.5 and 273 nm having oscillator strength of 0.1186 and 0.0006 respectively that are very close to experimental variation values 328 and 291 nm, respectively.

Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis
The stability, electrical properties and reactivity of any compound can be determined by energy difference of frontier molecular orbitals [37]. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) behave as electron donors and the electron acceptors, respectively. Furthermore, electronic excitations that take place from HOMO to LUMO of ligand (A) areas illustrated in Figure 2. The data obtained from DFT calculations showed that the ligand (A) exhibited 403 orbitals, from which the numbers of HOMO and LUMO orbitals were 65 and 66, respectively. The appearance of golden color indicates the positive and blue color indicates the negative part of orbitals. The energy values of HOMO and LUMO orbitals obtained from DFT study were -6.966 and -2.621 eV, respectively. Furthermore, energy values of HOMO-1 and LUMO+1 were -7.248 and -1.225 eV, respectively. In the similar way -7.805 eV energy was found for HOMO-2 and -1.054 eV was found as the energy of LUMO+2. While the energies of HOMO-3 and LUMO+3 were obtained as -8.050 eV and -0.732 eV, respectively. The energy differences were 4.345, 6.023, 6.751 and 7.318 eV for HOMO→LUMO; HOMO-1→LUMO+1; HOMO-2→LUMO+2 and HOMO-3→LUMO+3, respectively.

Global reactivity descriptors
The energies of HOMO and LUMO are used to gain insight into the promising global reactivity descriptors and summarized in Table 3. Koopmans's theorem has been used to determine the electronegativity (χ), chemical hardness (ƞ) and chemical potential (μ) [38], which are defined from the following equations as; where IP = ionization potential (a.u), EA = electron affinity (au). Global softness (σ) is defined by following relationship; = (8) And electrophilicity index (ω) can be defined by below equation; This parameter is considered as a measure of the electrophilic strength of a compound. Electronegativity (χ) has been defined as negative of the chemical potential. Usually, the chemical behavior of any species can be evaluated with the help of global softness, global hardness, electronegativity and chemical potential parameters. Molecules containing small energy gap are recognized as soft compounds and the molecules which contain large energy gap, are recognized as hard compounds with less chemical reactivity and greater kinetic stability. In the current study, the larger magnitude of ionization potential is observed, which suggests high reactivity of the title molecule (A). The value of softness is higher as compared to that of hardness, suggesting its high reactivity and less stability (Table 3). However, the molecule has the negative value of chemical potential. On the basis of the obtained information, it can be concluded that the molecule might be highly reactive and reasonably stable. Table 3. Ionization potential (I), electron affinity (A), electronegativity (χ), chemical hardness (ƞ), chemical potential (µ), global softness (ϭ) and electrophilicity index (ω).

Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) analysis
Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) chart symbolizes the three-dimensional distribution of charge magnitude of a molecule. MEP is used to determine the interaction of charge transfer in single atom with each other. It is recognized as a helpful factor, which illustrates the shape, size, negative, positive zone without charge of an inspected system, which is generally assessed with standard shading. In terms of charge distribution, the order of code colors is: red > orange > yellow > green > blue. For that reason, the red region can be the favored destination for electrophilic attack whereas the blue region can be the favored destination for nucleophilic attack. The experimental data and computational theories can be used to determine the MEP, because it is known as one of the significant physical properties [32]. In Figure 3, all the hydrogen atoms of ligand (A) having blue color, suggest the comparative nonattendance of the electrons around hydrogen atoms. On the other hand, the more electronegative atoms like oxygen and nitrogen having red color show comparatively more magnitude of electron density, subsequently, it can be proved as a favored site for encounter of electrophilic attack.

In-vitro antibacterial activity
Antibacterial activity of triazole based ligand and its transition metal complexes was checked against four types of bacterial strains, two Gram-positive (Subtilis bacillus and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative (Pseudomonas syringae and Escherichia coli). The inhibition zones (millimeter) of ligand and its metal complexes were checked by comparing with the inhibition zone of amoxicillin which was used as standard drug. The results of all compounds and standard drug are shown in Table 4 and Figure 4. Amoxicillin exhibited greater inhibition as compared to other newly synthesized compounds. It was also concluded from results that ligand (A) showed less activity as compared to standard drug (amoxicillin) but comparably exhibited higher inhibition than metal complexes. Among metal chelates, zinc complex showed highest inhibition against Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas syringae and Escherichia coli), copper complex exhibited highest activity against Bacillus subtilis. Furthermore, complexes of copper and cobalt showed highest inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus as compared to other metal chelates [39].

In-vitro antifungal activity
The antifungal activity of newly synthesized ligand (A) and its transition metal chelates was performed by using disc diffusion method against two fungal strains (Alterneria alternate, Drechslera australensis). The inhibition zones (mm) of ligand and its metal complexes were Synthesis, structural, spectral and biological evaluation of metals endowed 1,2,4 checked by comparing with terbicil, which was used as standard drug. The results of inhibition zones (mm) of all the synthesized compounds and standard drug are pr Figure 4. Overall triazole ligand displayed significant results against both fungal strains. Among the metal complexes, vanadium and zinc complexes possessed highest inhibition against Alterneria alternate. However, all the complexes

In-vitro antioxidant activity
The synthesized compounds showed antioxidant activity which was checked by using DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power method and concentration of total phenolic content.

DPPH Method
The diphenylpicrylhydrazide (DPPH) is free radical and have ability to check out the potency of radical scavenging of triazole ligand and it transition metal chelates. Two sample concentrations (1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL) were used to check the antioxida metal chelates. Butylatedhydroxytoluene among 1 mg/mL sample concentrations, iron complex showed lowest (8.04%) activi zinc complex showed highest (18.85%) and copper as depicted in Table 5 and Figure 5. checked by comparing with terbicil, which was used as standard drug. The results of inhibition zones (mm) of all the synthesized compounds and standard drug are presented in Table 4 and Overall triazole ligand displayed significant results against both fungal strains. Among the metal complexes, vanadium and zinc complexes possessed highest inhibition against . However, all the complexes were active against both fungal strains.
The synthesized compounds showed antioxidant activity which was checked by using DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power method and concentration of total phenolic content.
The diphenylpicrylhydrazide (DPPH) is free radical and have ability to check out the potency of radical scavenging of triazole ligand and it transition metal chelates. Two sample concentrations (1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL) were used to check the antioxidant activity of triazole ligand and its Butylatedhydroxytoluene (BHT) was used as standard. Results showed that among 1 mg/mL sample concentrations, nickel complex exhibited [40] highest (52.62%) and showed lowest (8.04%) activity. While among 2 mg/mL sample concentrations, showed highest (18.85%) and copper complex exhibited lowest (10.32%) activity and Figure 5.
antiglycationactivity results of ligand (A) and metal complexes. checked by comparing with terbicil, which was used as standard drug. The results of inhibition esented in Table 4 and Overall triazole ligand displayed significant results against both fungal strains. Among the metal complexes, vanadium and zinc complexes possessed highest inhibition against The synthesized compounds showed antioxidant activity which was checked by using DPPH The diphenylpicrylhydrazide (DPPH) is free radical and have ability to check out the potency of radical scavenging of triazole ligand and it transition metal chelates. Two sample concentrations ligand and its (BHT) was used as standard. Results showed that exhibited [40]

Reducing power method
Total antioxidant capability of triazole Schiff base and its metal complexes was determined. The results revealed that all the transition metal complexes exhibited high absorbance than that of their parent compound except zinc complex, which displayed least (0.18 nm) absorbance and vanadyl complex experienced highest absorbance of 1.68 nm ( Table 5).

Concentration of total phenolic content
Concentrations of total phenolic contents of the ligand and its transition metal complexes were studied by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Results were measured in absorbance and concentrations. The triazole ligand has more promising results as compared to metal complexes except copper complex which has shown better results out of the metal complexes ( Table 5).

Antiglycation activity of ligand and its metal complexes
Antiglycation activity of synthesized ligand and its metal complexes was determined by using standard reported method. The triazole ligand and its complexes demonstrated promising results as shown in ( Figure 5 and Tables 5). The triazole ligand displayed highest activity of 84.98% and cobalt complex possessed maximum activity 83.85% while zinc complex showed lowest activity of 63.68%.

CONCLUSION
In this study, we have reported the synthesis of a newly synthesized triazole ligand, 2,4dichloro-6-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylimino)methyl]phenol (A) along with its VO(IV), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. Synthesized compounds were characterized by physical, spectroscopic and elemental analysis. The results of DFT study of ligand displayed very close relationship between experimental values obtained from IR, UV and computed data obtained theoretically. All the compounds were assessed for their antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiglycation properties. Results of these activities showed that complexes have higher biological activities than that of parent ligand molecule. Finally, these promising results are helpful in different biological applications in the future endeavors.