Transition metal complexes with N, S donor ligands as synthetic antioxidants: synthesis, characterization and antioxidant activity.

Transition metal complexes containing bidentate N, S donor ligands i.e., carvone thiosemicarbazone [(RS)-5-isopropenyl-2-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one thiosemicarbazone (IPMCHTSC)] and carvone N(1)-phenylthiosemicarbazone [(RS)-5-isopropenyl-2-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one phenylthiosemicarbazone (IPMCHPhTSC)] have been synthesized. All the metal complexes (1-8) have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurement and various spectral studies [infrared (IR), electronic, fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass and NMR (for ligands)] and thermogravimetric analysis. FAB mass spectroscopic studies of (1), (3), (4), (5), (6) (7), and (8) suggest their monomeric nature. Metal complexes are [M(LH)Cl(2)] and [M(LH)(2)Cl(2)] type, where M = Fe(III), Co(II), and Cu(II) and LH = IPMCHTSC and IPMCHPhTSC. The proposed geometries of the complexes were octahedral for 1:2 complexes, square planar for 1:1 complexes and distorted octahedral for Cu(II) complexes (1:2). The free radical scavenging activity of ligands (IPMCHTSC and IPMCHPhTSC) and their metal complexes have been determined at the concentration range of 10-400 μg/mL by means of their interaction with the stable free radical 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 5-200 μg/mL by 2,2'-Azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid. All the compounds have shown encouraging antioxidant activities.