Bischelated complexes of a dithiocarbazate N,S Schiff base ligand: synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activities

The N,S bidentate proligand S-hexyl-β-N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)dithiocarbazate (HL), obtained by condensation of S-hexyldithiocarbazate with 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, has been used to synthesize six metal complexes, namely NiL₂, CuL₂, ZnL₂, CdL₂, PdL₂ and PbL₂, which have been characterized by physicochemical techniques and spectroscopic methods. Single crystal structural analyses for NiL₂, CuL₂ and PdL₂ show that these are square-planar complexes with each metal bischelated by the Schiff base in its deprotonated monoanionic form. In all three cases, the ligands show a trans configuration, although they crystallize in different space groups. All the metal complexes with the exception of the nickel derivative show a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity with respect to the free proligand HL. Free HL and all six complexes were tested for antibacterial activity against three pathogenic gram-negative organisms. The metal complexes show moderate although diverse activities; however, free HL as well as the copper(II) complex did not reveal any antibacterial activity against the tested organisms.