Synthesis, spectral characterization of Schiff base transition metal complexes: DNA cleavage and antimicrobial activity studies

A new series of transition metal complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), VO(IV), Hg(II) and Cd(II) have been synthesized from the Schiff base (L) derived from 4-aminoantipyrine, 3-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine. Structural features were obtained from their elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, mass, IR, UV–Vis, 1H NMR and ESR spectral studies. The data show that these complexes have composition of ML type. The UV–Vis, magnetic susceptibility and ESR spectral data of the complexes suggest a square–planar geometry around the central metal ion except VO(IV) complex which has square–pyramidal geometry. The redox behaviour of copper and vanadyl complexes was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Antimicrobial screening tests gave good results in the presence of metal ion in the ligand system. The nuclease activity of the above metal complexes shows that Cu, Ni and Co complexes cleave DNA through redox chemistry whereas other complexes are not effective.