Conventional and microwave synthesis, spectral, thermal and antimicrobial studies of some transition metal complexes containing 2-amino-5-methylthiazole moiety

Schiff base metal complexes of Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) derived from 5-chlorosalicylidene-2-amino-5-methylthiazole (HL1) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene-2-amino-5-methylthiazole (HL2) have been synthesized by conventional as well as microwave methods. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, FAB-mass, molar conductance, electronic spectra, H-1-NMR, ESR, magnetic susceptibility, thermal, electrical conductivity and XRD analyses. The complexes exhibit coordination number 4 or 6. The complexes are coloured and stable in air. Analytical data reveal that all the complexes exhibit 1: 2 (metal: ligand) ratio. IR data show that the ligand coordinates with the metal ions in a bidentate manner through the phenolic oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. FAB-mass and thermal data show degradation pattern of the complexes. The thermal behaviour of metal complexes shows that the hydrated complexes lose water molecules of hydration in the first step; followed by decomposition of ligand molecules in the subsequent steps. XRD patterns indicate crystalline nature for the complexes. The Schiff bases and metal complexes show good activity against the Gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria; Escherichia coli and fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial results also indicate that the metal complexes are better antimicrobial agents as compared to the Schiff bases. (C) 2011 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.