Synthesis and biological activity of a ferrocenyl ligand derived from thiophenol and its coordination with some transition metals

Abstract

The new ferrocenyl ligand 1,1′-bis(2,3-dihydro-2-methylbenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)ferrocene was prepared at room temperature from the condensation reaction of 2-aminothiophenol with 1,1′-diacetylferrocene followed by intramolecular Michael-type addition. The prepared ligand forms 1:1 complexes with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) in good yield. Characterization of the ligand and its complexes was carried out using IR, 1H and 13C NMR, electronic absorption, mass spectra, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, and elemental analysis. Biological activity of the ligand and its complexes was assessed against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Alcaligenes faecalis, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. The results indicated that the ligand is biologically active but the complexes are more active. The Zn and Cu complexes exhibited biological activity comparable to that of chloramphenicol (commercial broad-spectrum antibiotic).