Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of aminothiazole‐derived Schiff base ligands: Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial and cytotoxicity evaluation, bovine serum albumin binding and density functional theory studies

Abstract

Transition metal complexes of type M(L)2(H2O)x were synthesized, where L is deprotonated Schiff base 2,4‐dihalo‐6‐(substituted thiazol‐2‐ylimino)methylphenol derived from the condensation of aminothiazole or its derivatives with 2‐hydroxy‐3‐halobenzaldehyde and M = Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ (x = 0 for Cu2+ and Zn2+; x = 2 for Co2+ and Ni2+). The synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were thoroughly characterized using infrared, 1H NMR, electronic and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies, elemental analysis, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that the bidentate ligands form complexes having octahedral geometry around Co2+ and Ni2+ metal ions while the geometry around Cu2+ and Zn2+ metal ions is four‐coordinated. The geometries of newly synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were fully optimized in Gaussian 09 using 6–31 + g(d,p) basis set. Fluorescence quenching data reveal that Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes bind more strongly to bovine serum albumin in comparison to Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes. The ligands and their complexes were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (Gram positive) and cytotoxicity against lever hepatocellular cell line HepG2.