Polymer complexes. LXX. Synthesis, spectroscopic studies, thermal properties and antimicrobial activity of metal(II) polymer complexes

Abstract

The monomer 3‐allyl‐5‐(phenylazo)‐2‐thioxothiazolidine‐4‐one (HL) was prepared by the reaction of allyl rhodanine with aniline through diazo‐coupling reaction. Reaction of HL with Ni(II) or Co(II) salts gave polymer complexes (1–8) with general stoichiometries [M(HL)(Cl)2(OH2)2]n, [M(HL)(O2SO2)(OH2)2]n, [M(L)(O2NO)(H2O)2]n and [M(L)(O2CCH3)(H2O)2]n (where M = Ni(II) or Co(II)). The structures of the polymer complexes were identified using elemental analysis, infrared and electronic spectra, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The interaction between the polymer complexes and calf thymus DNA showed a hypochromism effect. HL and its polymer complexes were tested against bacterial and fungal species. Co(II) polymer complex 2 is the most effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae and is more active than penicillin. The results showed that Ni(II) polymer complex 5 is a good antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding between the monomer with the receptors of prostate cancer (PDB code: 2Q7L Hormone) and breast cancer (PDB code: 1JNX Gene regulation). Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger methods were applied for calculating the thermodynamic parameters of HL and its polymer complexes. The thermal activation energy of decomposition for HL is higher than that for the polymer complexes.