Coordination modes, spectral, thermal and biological evaluation of hetero-metal copper containing 2-thiouracil complexes

Abstract

Mononuclear copper complex [CuL(NH3)4]Cl2·0.5H2O and three new hetero-metallic complexes: [Cu2Ni(L)2(NH3)2Cl2·6H2O] 2H2O, [Cu3Co(L)4·8H2O]Cl·4·5H2O, and [Cu4Co2Ni(L)3(OH)4(NH3)Cl4·3H2O]4H2O where L is 2-thiouracil, were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, room-temperature magnetic susceptibility, spectral (IR, UV–Vis and ESR) studies and thermal analyses techniques (TG, DTG and DTA). The molar conductance data revealed that [CuL(NH3)4]Cl2·0.5H2O and [Cu3Co(L)4·8H2O]Cl·4.5H2O are electrolytes, while, [Cu2Ni(L)2(NH3)2Cl2·6H2O]·2H2O and [Cu4Co2Ni(L)3(OH)4(NH3)Cl4·3H2O]4H2O are non-electrolytes. IR spectra showed, that 2-thiouracil ligand behaves as a bidentate or tetradentate ligand. The geometry around the metal atoms is octahedral in all the prepared complexes except in [Cu4Co2Ni(L)3(OH)4(NH3)Cl4·3H2O]4H2O complex where square planar environment around Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) were suggested. Thermal decomposition study of the prepared complexes was monitored by TG, DTG and DTA analyses under N2 atmosphere. The decomposition course and steps were analyzed. The order of chemical reactions (n) was calculated via the peak symmetry method and the activation parameters of the non- isothermal decomposition were computed from the thermal decomposition data. The negative values of ΔS∗ deduced the ordered structures of the prepared complexes compared to their starting reactants. The antimicrobial activity of the prepared complexes were screened in vitro against a Gram positive, a Gram negative bacteria, a filamentous fungi and a yeast. The antimicrobial screening data showed that the studied compounds exhibited a good level of activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but have no efficacy against Aspergillus flavus. It was observed that [Cu4Co2Ni(L)3(OH)4(NH3)Cl4·3H2O]4H2O complex showed the most intensive activity against the tested microorganisms. Trials to prepare single crystals from complexes were failed.