Synthesis, characterization, and thermal behavior of some new biological-active zinc halide/pseudohalide complexes

Abstract

A new ligand entitled as N,N’-bis-[3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-allylidene]-propane-1,3-diamine(L) was synthesized and then used for preparation of a new series of zinc halide/pseudohalide complexes with general formula of ZnLX2, wherein X is chloride, bromide, iodide, thiocyanate, and azide anions. The ligand and its complexes were characterized by analytical and spectral data such as conductivity measurements, elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Visible, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Elemental analyses (CHN) suggested that the reaction between ligand and zinc salts has been occurred in 1:1 molar ratio. The low values for molar conductivities of the zinc complexes indicated non-electrolyte nature for them. Spectral data confirmed that the ligand behaves as a bidentate chelate and is coordinated via nitrogen atoms of imine groups. Moreover, thermal analysis of ligand and its complexes were studied in the range of room temperature to 1,000 °C with a heating rate of 10 °C min−1. TG/DTG/DTA plots show that the ligand and its complexes are thermally decomposed via 2–4 thermal steps. In final, the ligand and its complexes were subjected to antimicrobial screening by determining of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and inhibition zone of the microbial growth. Also DNA cleavage potential of all compounds was evaluated by gel electrophoresis method.