Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of copper(II) Schiff base adducts of some p-substituted aniline Schiff bases

Abstract

The synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of Cu(II) complexes of some p-substituted aniline Schiff base ligands have been carried out. The Schiff bases were obtained from salicylaldehyde and o-vanillin. The Cu(II) complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurement, infrared and electronic spectral data. The complexes were obtained either as metal chelates [Cu(L)₂] or Schiff base adducts (CuCl₂.2LH).xH₂O. The metal chelates were non-electrolytes while the Schiff base adducts exhibited 1:1 or 2:1 electrolytes in methanol. The Cu(II) complexes exhibited slight antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC® 8739™*, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC® 6538™*, Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii ATCC® 6633™* and Candida albicans ATCC® 2091™*. The complexes exhibited significant antifungal activity.

KEY WORDS: Metal Chelates, Schiff bases, Adducts, Cu(II) complexes, Salicylaldimines

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(1), 33-42.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i1.3