Synthesis, Characterization and Anticancer Activity of L-Alanine Schiff Base Complexes of Copper(II), Zinc(II), Nickel(II) and Cobalt(II)

Abstract

Abstract A new series of copper(II), zinc(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with the Schiff base derived from 4-hydroxysalicylaldehyde and L-alanine has been synthesized. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, thermoanalyses, conductivity measurements, infrared and electronic spectra. The Schiff base ligand and its zinc(II) complex have been further identified by 1H NMR. The results suggest that the Schiff base acts as a tridentate ligand and the metal ions in the complexes are bonded to the ligand through the phenolic oxygen, imino nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen. All complexes are non-electrolytes. The complexes, except for the cobalt(II) complex, have been found to possess anticancer activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma with the copper(II) complex having the highest anticancer activity by the primary screening tests.