Synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical behaviour of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes derived from acetylacetone and p-anisidine and their antimicrobial activity

Neutral tetradentate N2O2 type complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) have been synthesised using the Schiff base formed by the condensation of acetylacetone and p-anisidine. Microanalysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, IR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR, CV and EPR studies have been carried out to determine the structure of the complexes. From the data, it is found that all the complexes possess square-planar geometry. The EPR spectrum of the copper complex in DMSO at 300 K and 77 K was recorded and its salient features are reported. All the title complexes were screened for antimicrobial activity by the well diffusion technique using DMSO as solvent. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were calculated at 37C for a period of 24 h. It has been found that all the complexes are antimicrobially active and show higher activity than the free ligand.