Synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and antimicrobial activities of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde-2-aminobenzoylhydrazone and its transition metal complexes

The transition metal complexes of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde-2-aminobenzhydrazone (H2L) were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic (IR, NMR, UV–Vis, mass), thermal and other physicochemical methods. The ligand acts both in monobasic as well as dibasic manner and coordinates in tridentate fashion with carbonyl oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen via deprotonation except in Cu(II) complex where the ligand coordinates via enolization and deprotonation of amide proton. An octahedral geometry was assigned for Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes and square planar for Cu(II) complex. The ligand and its metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activities using serial dilution method. Metal complexes in general have exhibited better antibacterial and antifungal activity than the free ligand. The Cu(II) complex exhibited highest antimicrobial activity among the compounds tested.