Synthesis, solvatochromaticity and bioactivities of some transition metal complexes with 2-(R-benzylideneamino)-pyridin-3-ol Schiff base derivatives

New four Schiff bases are prepared by condensation of 2-amino-pyridin-3-ol with 3, 4-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde (I), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (II), 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (III), and 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (IV). The structures of these compounds are characterized based on elemental analyses (C, H, N), IR and H-1 NMR. Also, the electronic absorption spectra are recorded in organic solvents of different polarity. The solvents are selected to be covered a wide range of parameters (refractive index, dielectric constant and hydrogen bonding capacity). The UV-vis absorption spectra of Schiff base compounds are investigated in aqueous buffer solutions of varying pH and utilized for the determination of ionization constant, pK(a) and activation free energy. Delta G* of the ionization process. The biological activity against bacterial species and fungi as microorganisms representing different microbial categories such as (two Gram-negative bacteria, Eschericha coli and Agrobacterium sp.),three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtlus and Bacillus megatherium), yeast (Candida albicans), and fungi (Aspergillus niger) were studied. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.