Synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and antibacterial studies of new Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes with an ionic liquid-supported Schiff base ligand

An ionic liquid-supported Schiff base 1-{2-(2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzylamine)ethyl}-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and its Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes has been prepared and characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic methods such as elemental analysis, UV-visible, FTIR, H-1 NMR, mass spectra, TGA/DTG, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Based on these spectral studies octahedral geometry has been proposed for both complexes. Molar conductance of the complexes is showing their electrolytic nature. The Schiff base ligand and its complexes have tested for in vitro antibacterial activities against gram positive and gram negative bacteria to assess their inhibition potentials. Cr(III) complex has shown higher activity than the Fe(III) complex against the tested bacteria S. aureus and E. coli.