Synthesis, crystal structures, electrochemical studies, and antioxidant activities of manganese(II) and copper(II) complexes of bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)aniline

Bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)aniline (baba) and its transition metal complexes, [Mn(baba)(Cl)2] 1 and [Cu(baba)(Br)2]·DMF 2, have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The structures of both complexes have been determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The coordination environment of complex 1 can be described as distorted trigonal bipyramidal, while complex 2 has as a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Cyclic voltammograms of complex 2 indicate an electrochemically irreversible Cu2+/Cu+ couple. In addition, the antioxidant activities of both baba and its complexes were investigated by hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging methods in vitro. Both of these complexes exhibit excellent radical scavenging activity.