Spectral, thermal, optical and biological studies on (E)-4-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)imino]pentan-2-one and its complexes

Metal complexes derived from the reaction of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) acetates and (E)-4-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)imino]pentan-2-one (H2L) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, MS, IR, UV-Vis and H-1-NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and differential TG (DTG), and magnetic measurements. In all complexes except for the Zn(II) complex, the Schiff base ligand acts as a mono-negative tridentate (NOO) donor, through the azomethine nitrogen, the hydroxyl oxygen and the enolic carbonyl oxygen. The structure of the Cu(II) complex is square planar, the Co(II) is octahedral while, the Ni(II) and Zn(II) are tetrahedral. Optical band gap measurements indicated the semi-conducting nature of these complexes. The biological activities were screened against two bacteria and two fungi. Some of the studied complexes showed activity against bacteria and fungi.