Studies on the complexing behavior of a potentially tetradentate Schiff-base ligand with some transition metal ions

The Schiff base furfural-histidine with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) in solution gives M(AB), M(AB)B, or M(AB)2. The Schiff base is tetradentate in M(AB)2 and M(AB)B and tridentate in M(AB)2; [M(AB)2] center dot 2H2O (M = Co, Ni and Zn) and [Cu(AB)]NO3 were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination, conductance, IR, UV-Vis, and CV. The electronic spectral measurements indicate that M(AB)2 (M = Co(II) and Ni(II)) are octahedral and Cu(AB) is square planar geometry. The donor groups in the complexes have been identified by IR. The complexes undergo irreversible one step, two-electron reduction. Antibacterial activity of the complexes was screened for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Cu(II) complex was found to be more active than the Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes.