Monooxovanadium(V) 2-phenylphenoxides: synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial potential

Monooxovanadium(V) complexes of the composition VOCl3-n(L)(n) (where L = 2-phenylphenoxide ion; n = 1-3) (1-3) have been synthesized in quantitative yields by the reaction of VOCl3 with 2-phenylphenol in toluene. The characterization of the complexes has been accomplished by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, IR, H-1-NMR, electronic, mass spectral, and thermal studies. The ligands as well as the complexes have been screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and fungi Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum by a twofold serial dilution. An increase in the biocidal activity was observed for the vanadium complexes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 6.25-25 mu g mL(-1) for complexes, relative to that of the free ligand of 25-50 mu g mL(-1).