Synthesis, characterization, and susceptibility of bacteria of selenium dioxide complexes with sulfadrugs

Selenium dioxide complexes of sulfanilamide, sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfadimidine have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar electrical conductivities, infrared and electronic spectra, H-1 NMR, and thermogravimetric analyses. Two types of complexes, 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 (mental : ligand) were shown to have formed. Sulfadrugs behave as monodentate ligands, binding the metal ion through the anilino nitrogen. In vitro susceptibility tests of these complexes against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were performed. The results showed that the antibacterial activity of the complexes of sulfanilamide, sulfadiazine, and sulfathrazole were stronger than that of the corresponding sulfadrugs, while the complexes of sulfamethoxazole and sulfadimidine were less active.