Keto-enamine Form Research Articles

Effect of ESIPT-Induced Photoisomerization of Keto-Enamine Linkages on the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance of Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Photoexcitation of keto-enamine allows intramolecular proton transfer from C-NH to C=O, leading to tautomerization, while the photogenerated isomers are excluded from the study of photocatalytic applications. Herein, we demonstrate the photoisomerization of keto-enamine linkages on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) induced by excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). Partial enolization generates partially enolized photoisomers with a mixture of keto (C=O) and enol (OH) forms, conferring extended π-conjugation with an increase in electron density. The spatially separated D-A configuration is thus rebuilt with the enol-imine-linked branch as a donor and the keto-enamine-linked branch as an acceptor, and in turn, the photoinduced charges transfer between the two adjacent branches with a long lifetime. We further prove that the partially enolized photoisomer is a key transition instead of the keto-enamine form as an excited-state model to understand the photocatalytic behaviors. Therefore, ESIPT-induced photoisomerization must be considered for rationally designing keto-enamine-linked COFs with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Also, our study points toward the importance of controlling excited-state structures for long-lived separated charges, which is of particular interest for optoelectronic applications.

Cu(II) and Ni(II) metallacycles derived from barbituric acids: Synthesis with solvent/agent effects in crystallization and structural characterization with non-covalent interaction analysis

It is well known that solvent molecules and additional agents significantly impact crystal structures. In relation to this, the barbituric acid-based 1,3-dimethyl-2,4,6-trioxo-hexahydro-pyrimidine-5-(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)methylene (HL1) as ligand and three novel copper(II) complexes, 2[Cu(L1)2] (1), 2[Cu(L1)2(4,4′bpy)] (2), Cu(L1)2(CH3)2SO (3), (where H is the deprotonatable hydrogen) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy. As a comparison, a potentially tridentate barbituric acid-based ligand, 1,3-dimethyl-2,4,6-trioxo-hexahydro-pyrimidine-5-(8-quinolylamino)methylene (HL2), and its three new copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes, Cu(L2)2 (4), Cu(L2)2 (5) and Ni(L2)2 (6), were also synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the ligands and their complexes were determined based on an X-ray diffraction study. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that the ligands HL1 and HL2 exist in keto-enamine form. The crystal structure of complexes of HL1 revealed that Cu center is distorted square-planar in 2[Cu(L1)2] (1), while it is found in distorted square-pyramidal in relation to additional agent (4,4′ bpyridine) and solvent (DMSO) conditions in 2[Cu(L1)2(4,4′bpy)] (2) and Cu(L1)2(CH3)2SO (3), respectively. In the crystal structure, [M(L2)2] (M = Cu (4 and 5), Ni (6)), metal ions possess a distorted octahedral environment, and the HL2 ligands coordinate with a meridional geometry. Structures of all complexes reveal a tendency to form C–H···O, C–H···π and π···π interactions, except for molecule Cu(L1)2(CH3)2SO (3) in terms of C–H···O bonds which was not observed. Exploring noncovalent interactions indicates similar molecular structures in [M(L2)2] (M = Cu (4 and 5), Ni (6)) suggesting the difference in packing due to the solvent of crystallization (CH2Cl2) in the lattice of Cu(L2)2 (5) and the different metal ion in the molecular structure of Ni(L2)2 (6). The packing in the structures of HL1 complexes is found to be strongly dependent on the additional agent (4,4′ bpyridine) and solvent (DMSO) fused in molecular structure with different supramolecular assemblies such as 1D chains, π···π dimers, 2D sheets, etc. In addition, Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2D fingerprint plots were employed to verify intermolecular interactions in both ligands and their complexes.

Free Energy Landscapes of the Tautomeric Interconversion of Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate Aldimines at the Active Site of Ornithine Decarboxylase in Aqueous Media.

The pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) acts as a coenzyme for a large number of biochemical reactions. It exists in mainly two bound forms at the active site of the concerned enzyme: the internal aldimine, in which the PLP is bound with the ϵ-amino group of lysine at the active site, and the external aldimine, where the PLP is bound to the substrate amino acid. Both the internal and external aldimines have Schiff base linkage (N-H-O) and can exist in two tautomeric structures of ketoenamine and enolimine forms. In this work, we have investigated the free energy landscape for the tautomeric proton transfer in the internal and external aldimines at the active site of the ornithine decarboxylase enzyme in an aqueous medium. We performed hybrid quantum-classical metadynamics and force field-based molecular dynamics simulations, which revealed that the ketoenamine tautomer is more stable than the enolimine form. The QM/MM metadynamics calculations show that the free energy difference between the ketoenamine and enolimine forms for the internal aldimine is 3.9 kcal/mol, and it is found to be 5.8 kcal/mol for the external aldimine, with the ketoenamine form being more stable in both cases. The results are further supported by calculations of the binding free energies from classical simulations and static quantum chemical calculations in different environments. We have also analyzed the configurational structure of the microenvironment at the active site in order to have better insights into the interactions of the active site residues with the PLP in its two tautomeric forms.

Dual action of a distinctive colloidal 3-(Benzimidazole-2-yl)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde grafted chitosan support for the continual detection ability for Hg (II) in aqueous environ and inherent emission-induced live cell imaging

In this research work, an interesting sugar based fluorescent materials has been successfully developed to detect metal ions (Hg2+) in aqueous solution. The prepared colloid, 3-(benzimidazole-2-yl)-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde/chitosan (ChI) has significant characteristics as greener and eco-friendly material. ChI has found for switching of proton transfer between enol-imine and keto-enamine forms of ChI through excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism. The internal chemical-bonding and functionality of ChI are confirmed through FTIR, UV–Vis, fluorescence, SEM, TEM, DLS etc. ChI shows its fluorescence-quenching, selectivity, scavenging and chelating capabilities for Hg2+ ions in the presence of other cations in aqueous solution. Spectral and XRD analysis have established the remarkable continual and consistent detection of Hg2+ in aqueous system with a limit of detection of 0.204 nM. The strong chelating agent EDTA is used to regain of fluorescence of ChI in support of labile chelation ability of ChI and to show reversibility for continual detection of Hg2+ due to the strong EDTA/Hg2+ complexation. Scavenging ability is investigated using Na2S solution followed by the XRD analysis of precipitate appeared. Also, ChI shows its efficiency for the fluorescence cell imaging in live HADF cells with negligible cytotoxicity. Convincingly, ChI has processed as materials with very significant addition and advancement for its multimodal and eco-friendly behavior in current material development research.

Fluorescent core-shell SiO2@vertical covalent organic frameworks nanosheets for sensing application

Fluorescent covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are attracting more and more attentions. However, it is very difficult to obtain COFs with strong fluorescence due to fluorescence quenching caused by interlaminar accumulation and intramolecular rotation. Here, the core-shell SiO2@COFTFP-TAPB (1,3,5-tri(4-aminophenyl)-benzene: TAPB, 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol: TFP) was prepared by assembling vertical COFTFP-TAPB through amine-aldehyde dehydration condensation reaction on -NH2-SiO2 nanospheres (NPs) for the first time. The 2D COFTFP-TAPB nanosheets with thickness of 25 nm and good crystallinity vertically stand on the surface of -NH2-SiO2 NPs based on the imine-linkage. Such core-shell structure results in larger BET surface area, effectively overcomes the interlaminar accumulation, and improves optical properties of COFTFP-TAPB. The core-shell SiO2@COFTFP-TAPB exhibits multiemission from the enol-imine form and keto-enamine form, which is sensitive to pH. After loading with glucose oxidase and urease, it could be used to detect glucose and urea successfully. The detection ranges are 0.23 μM-14 mM and 1.50 μM-90 mM, and the detection limits reaches 0.07 μM and 5.14 μM, respectively. The work provides a feasible idea to overcome the interlaminar accumulation and reaggregation of COFs during application.

A Family of Ethyl N-Salicylideneglycinate Dyes Stabilized by Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding: Photophysical Properties and Computational Study.

In this work we report solvatochromic and luminescent properties of ethyl N-salicylideneglycinate (1), ethyl N-(5-methoxysalicylidene)glycinate (2), ethyl N-(5-bromosalicylidene)glycinate (3), and ethyl N-(5-nitrosalicylidene)glycinate (4) dyes. 1–4 correspond to a class of N-salicylidene aniline derivatives, whose photophysical properties are dictated by the intramolecular proton transfer between the OH-function and the imine N-atom, affording tautomerization between the enol-imine and keto-enamine forms. Photophysical properties of 1–4 were studied in different pure non-polar and (a)protic polar solvents as well as upon gradual addition of NEt3, NaOH, and CH3SO3H. The DFT calculations were performed to verify the structures of 1–4 as well as their electronic and optical properties.

A β-ketoiminato palladium(II) complex for palladium deposition

Abstract The ¦-ketoiminato complex [Pd(OAc)L] (3) can be synthesized by the reaction of bis(benzoylacetone)diethylenetriamine (1, = LH) with [Pd(OAc)2] (2). The structure of 3 in the solid state has been determined by single X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 3 crystallizes as a dimer (3 2), which is formed by hydrogen bonds between NH and OOAc functionalities of two adjacent ligands. Each of the Pd atoms is complexed by one ON2 donor unit of the polydentate ligand L − and an acetate group. Pd–Pd interactions and hydrogen bond formation between a NH and the C=O acetate moiety lead to a [4 + 2] coordination at Pd. The non-coordinated part of L exists in its ¦-keto-enamine form. The thermal decomposition behavior of 3 2 was studied by TG (thermogravimetry) and TG-MS showing that 3 2 decomposes between 200 and 500°C independent of the applied atmosphere. Under oxygen PdO is produced, while under argon Pd is formed as confirmed by PXRD measurements. Complex 3 2 was applied as a spin-coating precursor (conc. 0.1 mol L−1, volume 1.5 mL, 3000 rpm, deposition time 6 min, heating rate 50 K min−1, holding time 60 min (Ar) and 120 min (air) at T = 800°C). The as-obtained samples are characterized by granulated particles of Pd/PdO on the substrate surface. EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) measurements confirmed the formation of Pd (Ar) or PdO (O2) with up to 12 mol% C impurity.

Enol-imino-Keto-enamine Tautomerism in a Diazepine Derivative: How Decisive Are the Intermolecular Interactions in the Equilibrium?

The strange tautomeric equilibrium behavior exhibited by a new o-hydroxyphenyl diazepine derivative when the compound is analyzed both in solution and solid state opens the structural study of the enol-imino-keto-enamine forms and the influence of the intermolecular interactions in their equilibrium. The expected enol-imino form, in which the enol is part of a phenyl system and a strong O-H···N intramolecular hydrogen bond is established, results the most stable tautomer in gas phase (theoretical calculations) and was detected by NMR spectroscopy when the compound was dissolved in aprotic solvents. Nevertheless, the keto-enamine form ,in which the keto group integrates a cyclohexadienone moiety and the aromaticity of the phenol is lost, was the only tautomer in the crystal lattice according to single-crystal X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance results. The last form was also found as the main tautomer in UV-vis and NMR spectroscopy when a protic solvent was employed.

Biochemical Characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus AroH, a Putative Aromatic Amino Acid Aminotransferase.

The rise in the frequency of nosocomial infections is becoming a major problem for public health, in particular in immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungus normally present in the environment directly responsible for lethal invasive infections. Recent results suggest that the metabolic pathways related to amino acid metabolism can regulate the fungus-host interaction and that an important role is played by enzymes involved in the catabolism of L-tryptophan. In particular, in A. fumigatus L-tryptophan regulates Aro genes. Among them, AroH encodes a putative pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase. Here we analyzed the biochemical features of recombinant purified AroH by spectroscopic and kinetic analyses corroborated by in silico studies. We found that the protein is dimeric and tightly binds the coenzyme forming a deprotonated internal aldimine in equilibrium with a protonated ketoenamine form. By setting up a new rapid assay method, we measured the kinetic parameters for the overall transamination of substrates and we demonstrated that AroH behaves as an aromatic amino acid aminotransferase, but also accepts L-kynurenine and α-aminoadipate as amino donors. Interestingly, computational approaches showed that the predicted overall fold and active site topology of the protein are similar to those of its yeast ortholog, albeit with some differences in the regions at the entrance of the active site, which could possibly influence substrate specificity. Should targeting fungal metabolic adaptation be of therapeutic value, the results of the present study may pave the way to the design of specific AroH modulators as potential novel agents at the host/fungus interface.

Free energy landscapes of prototropic tautomerism in pyridoxal 5'-phosphate schiff bases at the active site of an enzyme in aqueous medium.

We have performed hybrid quantum-classical metadynamics simulations and quantum chemical calculations to investigate the free energy landscapes of intramolecular proton transfer and associated tautomeric equilibrium in pyridoxal 5 '-phosphate (PLP) Schiff Bases, namely the internal and external aldimines, at the active site of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) enzyme in aqueous medium. It is important to determine the relative stability of the two tautomers (ketoenamine and enolimine) of the PLP aldimines to study the catalytic activity of the concerned enzyme. Both the internal PLP aldimine (PLP-LYS) and the external PLP aldimine (PLP-SER) of SHMT are found to have a higher stability for the ketoenamine tautomer over the enolimine form. The higher stability of the ketoenamine tautomer can be attributed to the more number of favorable interactions of the ketoenamine form with its surroundings at the active site of the enzyme. The ketoenamine is found to be stabilized by about 2.5 kcal/mol in the PLP-LYS internal aldimine, while this stabilization is about 6.7 kcal/mol for the PLP-SER external aldimine at the active site of the enzyme compared to the corresponding enolimine forms. The interactions faced by the PLP aldimines at the active site pocket determine the relative dominance of the tautomers and could possibly alter the tautomeric shift in different PLP dependent enzymes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Rich Tautomeric Behavior of Campestarenes.

Campestarenes are a new family of Schiff-base macrocycles that form selectively in a one-step synthesis. These macrocycles with five-fold symmetry show solvent-dependent tautomerization and dimerization or aggregation. In this paper, we have prepared new soluble campestarenes that do not aggregate. The initial single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of a campestarene reveals that these macrocycles are nearly flat. The tautomeric behavior of the campestarenes has been extensively studied by variable-temperature, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. In polar solvents, such as DMF, the molecules exist predominantly in their keto-enamine form, but the enol-imine tautomer is dominant in non-polar solvents. A detailed computational study of the tautomeric forms of campestarenes provides a theoretical basis for their behavior and corroborates the experimental data. The results of this study give the first comprehensive understanding of the electronic and spectroscopic properties of these pentagonal macrocycles.

Syntheses, characterisation and crystal structures of ferrocenyl β−diketones and their Schiff base N[sbnd]N[sbnd]O ligand derivatives with 2-picolylamine

Ferrocenyl β-diketones compounds β3-4 were synthesised by Claisen condensation reaction between acetylferrocene and ethyl benzoate or 4-bromoethyl benzoate. We also synthesised four new Schiff base ligands L1-4 by condensation reaction between β1-4 and 2-picolylamine. Identities of all these compounds were confirmed by satisfactory elemental analysis, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) correlation and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In addition, all these compounds were authenticated by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In solution, 1H NMR spectra of β3 and β4 exhibit a mixture of keto:enol tautomer ratios of 12:88 and 8:92, respectively, calculated by the integration of the free cyclopentadienyl ring. In contrast, the proton NMR spectra of L1-4 showed only the keto-enamine tautomer displacements. In addition, decoupled 13C NMR spectrum clearly confirmed the existence of these tautomers. These results are in accordance with X-ray crystallographic studies, in which the enol and keto-enamine forms were elucidated for β-diketones and Schiff base ligands, respectively.

Crystal structure of (4Z)-4-{[(2-chloro-phen-yl)amino](furan-2-yl)methyl-idene}-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4,5-di-hydro-1H-pyrazol-5-one.

In the title compound, C21H16ClN3O2, the pyrazolone ring and the O=C—C=C—N mean plane [maximum deviation = 0.022 (2) Å] are nearly coplanar, making a dihedral angle 4.56 (8)°, while the phenyl and pyrazole rings subtend a dihedral angle of 19.75 (8)°. The compound is in the enamine–keto form and its structure is stabilized by an intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [010]. Between the chains there are π–π inter­actions [inter-centroid distances = 3.3902 (9) and 3.5956 (11) Å], linking the chains to form sheets parallel to (10-1).

Phosphoric acid loaded azo (-N═N-) based covalent organic framework for proton conduction.

Two new chemically stable functional crystalline covalent organic frameworkds (COFs) (Tp-Azo and Tp-Stb) were synthesized using the Schiff base reaction between triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) and 4,4'-azodianiline (Azo) or 4,4'-diaminostilbene (Stb), respectively. Both COFs show the expected keto-enamine form, and high stability toward boiling water, strong acidic, and basic media. H3PO4 doping in Tp-Azo leads to immobilization of the acid within the porous framework, which facilitates proton conduction in both the hydrous (σ = 9.9 × 10(-4) S cm(-1)) and anhydrous state (σ = 6.7 × 10(-5) S cm(-1)). This report constitutes the first emergence of COFs as proton conducting materials.

NMR Studies of Protonation and Hydrogen Bond States of Internal Aldimines of Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate Acid–Base in Alanine Racemase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, and Poly-l-lysine

Using (15)N solid-state NMR, we have studied protonation and H-bonded states of the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) linked as an internal aldimine in alanine racemase (AlaR), aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT), and poly-L-lysine. Protonation of the pyridine nitrogen of PLP and the coupled proton transfer from the phenolic oxygen (enolimine form) to the aldimine nitrogen (ketoenamine form) is often considered to be a prerequisite to the initial step (transimination) of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Indeed, using (15)N NMR and H-bond correlations in AspAT, we observe a strong aspartate-pyridine nitrogen H-bond with H located on nitrogen. After hydration, this hydrogen bond is maintained. By contrast, in the case of solid lyophilized AlaR, we find that the pyridine nitrogen is neither protonated nor hydrogen bonded to the proximal arginine side chain. However, hydration establishes a weak hydrogen bond to pyridine. To clarify how AlaR is activated, we performed (13)C and (15)N solid-state NMR experiments on isotopically labeled PLP aldimines formed by lyophilization with poly-L-lysine. In the dry solid, only the enolimine tautomer is observed. However, a fast reversible proton transfer involving the ketoenamine tautomer is observed after treatment with either gaseous water or gaseous dry HCl. Hydrolysis requires the action of both water and HCl. The formation of an external aldimine with aspartic acid at pH 9 also produces the ketoenamine form stabilized by interaction with a second aspartic acid, probably via a H-bond to the phenolic oxygen. We postulate that O-protonation is an effectual mechanism for the activation of PLP, as is N-protonation, and that enzymes that are incapable of N-protonation employ this mechanism.

Inherently Chiral Iminoresorcinarenes through Regioselective Unidirectional Tautomerization

Tetraformylresorcin[4]arene is obtained in 48% yield via a chromatography-free Duff reaction. The formylated resorcinarene reacts easily with primary aliphatic and aromatic amines. The resulting imines exist exclusively in keto-enamine forms. Owing to a system of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, the reaction selectively leads to regioisomers with C4 symmetry. They possess an inherent chirality due to a propeller-like skeleton. For chiral amines, inherently chiral diastereoisomers are observed.

Infrared and Raman spectra, DFT investigation of the tautomerism, conformational equilibrium, structure and vibrational assignment of 1-(2-benzothiazolyl)-3-methyl pyrazol-5-one

The low energy conformations of the three tautomers, imine-enol, enamine-keto and imine-keto forms of the title compound have been determined at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory using the relaxed PES scan method and their geometries have been refined at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and PBE0/6-311+G(d,p) levels. The results show that the title compound exists in the imine-enol tautomeric form, in contrast to the enamine-keto form which exists in the solid crystalline state, followed by enamine-keto and imine-keto forms with extremely low abundances. The geometry parameters of all tautomeric forms calculated at PBE0/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels have been compared with those from the experimental X-ray diffraction. The vibrational (FT-IR and Raman) spectroscopic studies of the most stable tautomer, enamine-keto form have been carried out. The assignment of the fundamental bands observed in the IR and Raman spectra have been facilitated by the SQM force field procedure. The frequencies from SQM procedure have a very good fit to the experimental ones. The total root-mean-square error is only ca. 11cm−1.

Salen, reduced salen and N-alkylated salen type compounds: Spectral characterization, theoretical investigation and biological studies

Salen [2,2′-{propane-1,3-diylbis[nitrilo(E)methylylidene]}bis(6-methoxyphenol)], reduced salen [(2,2′-[propane-1,3-diylbis(iminomethylene))]bis(6-methoxyphenol)] and N-alkylated salen [diethyl-2,2′-(propane-1,3-diylbis((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl) azanediyl))diacetate] compounds have been synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and UV–vis. spectroscopy. Molecular geometry of the title compounds in the ground state has been optimized by density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G basis set. Vibrational frequencies of the compounds were computed and compared with the experimental values. Tautomeric stability study of salen inferred that the enolimine form is more stable than its ketoenamine form in gas phase. The spectral behavior of salen in polar and nonpolar solvents was examined demonstrate the positive solvatochromism. The synthesized compounds have been studied with respect to their binding to calf thymus DNA showed that there were interactions between the compounds and DNA through a groove binding mode. Furthermore, the DNA cleavage activity of the compounds has been investigated by gel electrophoresis. The antioxidant properties of compounds were evaluated by DPPH method. The N-alkylated compound has a higher DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The antimicrobial activity was investigated on various gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

Construction of Crystalline 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks with Remarkable Chemical (Acid/Base) Stability via a Combined Reversible and Irreversible Route

Two new chemically stable [acid and base] 2D crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs) (TpPa-1 and TpPa-2) were synthesized using combined reversible and irreversible organic reactions. Syntheses of these COFs were done by the Schiff base reactions of 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) with p-phenylenediamine (Pa-1) and 2,5-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (Pa-2), respectively, in 1:1 mesitylene/dioxane. The expected enol-imine (OH) form underwent irreversible proton tautomerism, and only the keto-enamine form was observed. Because of the irreversible nature of the total reaction and the absence of an imine bond in the system, TpPa-1 and TpPa-2 showed strong resistance toward acid (9 N HCl) and boiling water. Moreover, TpPa-2 showed exceptional stability in base (9 N NaOH) as well.

Synthesis, crystal structures and antibacterial activities of schiff base ligand and its cobalt(II) complex

The Schiff base ligand, HL · 0.5C2H5OH (HL = methyl N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-ylindene)methyl]valine), was derived from condensation of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(p-chlorbenzyl)-5-pyrazolone with L-valine methyl ester in a 1: 1 molar ratio in methanol, ether and isopropanol solution. Reaction of ligand with Co(ClO4)2 · 6H2O (in a 2: 1 molar ratio) in methanol solution afforded a mononuclear cobalt(II) complex, [Co(L)2] (I). Molecular structures of HL · 0.5C2H5OH and complex I were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The enamine-keto form of the ligand has turned to imine form in complex I. Each Co(II) center in complex I is in a octahedral N2O4 coordination sphere. Both the Schiff base ligand and its Co(II) complex have been tested in vitro with agar dilution method to evaluate their antibacterial activity against bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. It has been found that they have higher activity against Escherichia coli than Staphylococcus aureus, and complex I has higher activity than HL · 0.5C2H5OH against the same bacteria.