Novel Schiff base metal complexes diaqua(4-chloro-2-{[(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)methylene]amino}phenolato)M(II) ion, (M = copper/cobalt/nickel) have been synthesized using the ligand 4-chloro-2-((4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)amino)phenol, which was prepared by reacting 2-amino-4-chlorophenol with 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde in a molar ratio of 1:1. The synthesized compounds were characterized based on elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–vis., 1H and 13C NMR, powder XRD, mass spectrometry and magnetic studies. Spectroscopic investigations demonstrated that the metal atom coordinates to a bidentate Schiff base ligand via the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen. The appropriate molecular geometry for each metal complex has been proposed through the analysis of spectroscopic and analytical data, Specifically, tetrahedral geometry has been proposed for Co(II), Ni(II), and square planar geometry for Cu(II) complex. Theoretical calculations employing Density Functional Theory (DFT) validated the experimental results, elucidating optimized geometries, frontier molecular orbitals, natural bond orbital distributions, molecular electrostatic potentials, non-linear optical properties, IR vibrational modes, and UV absorbance profiles. Additionally, the compounds' biological efficacy was validated through molecular docking against receptors for Gram(+ve) bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (PDB ID: 5H67), Staphylococcus aureus (PDB ID: 3TY7) and Gram(-ve) bacteria, Escherichia coli (PDB ID: 3T88), Proteus vulgaris (PDB ID: 5I39). The outcome revealed that Co(II) complex exhibited highest binding energy with Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis while the ligand with Proteus vulgaris (5I39) and Staphylococcus aureus (3TY7). Further the study was extended to the MD Simulation in water for 100 ns to evaluate the binding affinities and its stabilities by analyzing the deviation, fluctuations, and intermolecular interactions. The research presented here showcase the potential of employing a Schiff base ligand and its Co(II) complex in the synthesis of novel, highly potent antibacterial agents to combat emerging diseases, which holds considerable importance in the field of pharmaceutical science—however, in-vitro studies are needed to validate the results.
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