DNA cleavage and in vitro antimicrobial studies of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes with ONNO donor Schiff bases: synthesis, spectral characterization, and electrochemical studies.

A series of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes of the type ML.2H2O have been synthesized with Schiff bases derived from 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and o-phenylenediamine/ethylenediamine. The structure of the complexes has been proposed in the light of analytical, spectral (IR, UV-Vis, ESR, and FAB-mass), magnetic, thermal, and fluorescence studies. The complexes are soluble in DMF and DMSO. The measured molar conductance values indicate that the complexes are non-electrolytes in nature. In view of IR, UV-Vis, and magnetic studies, it has been concluded that all the complexes possess octahedral geometry, in which ligand is coordinated to metal ion through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen via deprotonation. Thermal studies provide useful information about the coordination of water molecules to the metal ion and the stability of the complexes. The redox behavior of the complexes has been investigated by an electrochemical method using cyclic voltammetry. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes have been screened for their antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi) and antifungal activities (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Cladosporium) by the minimum inhibitory concentration method. DNA binding with Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes has been studied by the agarose gel electrophoresis method.