Synthesis, characterisation, antioxidant, antimicrobial and DNA cleavage studies of copper(II) complex of Schiff base derived from (2E,2'E)-2,2'-(pyridine-2,3-Diylbis(Azanylylidene))bis (1,2 diphenylethanol)

A novel metal complex of Cu(II) with (2E,2 ' E)-2,2 '-(pyridine-2,3-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(1,2diphenylethanol) was synthesised and characterised of using elemental analysis, FT-IR, H-1 NMR,C- 13 NMR, TGA, EPR, and molar conductance. An appreciable antioxidant activity of the complex was observed by compare with ascorbic acid using DPPH as radical scavenging. In the presence of an oxidant, the ligand doesn't demonstrate any discernible activity. The complex activity was significantly higher in the presence of H2O2. A notable zone of inhibition shown by complex indicated its effective antibacterial and antifungal role. Further at its lower concentration (40 mu M), Cu complex was found to cleave DNA.