Comparative studies of mononuclear Ni(II) and UO2(II) complexes having bifunctional coordinated groups: synthesis, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, surface morphology studies and biological evaluation.

Two Schiff base ligands derived from condensation of phthalaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine in 1:2 (L(1)) and 2:1 (L(2)) having bifunctional coordinated groups (NH(2) and CHO groups, respectively) and their metal complexes with Ni(II) and UO(2)(II) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibilities and spectral data (IR, (1)H NMR, mass and solid reflectance) as well as thermal, XRPD and SEM analysis. The formula [Ni(L(1))Cl(2)]·2.5H(2)O, [UO(2)(L(1))(NO(3))(2)]·2H(2)O, [Ni(L(2))Cl(2)]·1.5H(2)O and [UO(2)(L(2))(NO(3))(2)] have been suggested for the complexes. The vibrational spectral data show that the ligands behave as neutral ligands and coordinated to the metal ions in a tetradentate manner. The Ni(II) complexes are six coordinate with octahedral geometry and the ligand field parameters: D(q), B, β and LFSE were calculated while, UO(2)(II) complexes are eight coordinate with dodecahedral geometry and the force constant, F(U-O) and bond length, R(U-O) were calculated. The thermal decomposition of complexes ended with metal chloride/nitrate as a final product and the highest thermal stability is displayed by [UO(2)(L(2))(NO(3))(2)] complex. The X-ray powder diffraction data revealed the formation of nano sized crystalline complexes. The SEM analysis provides the morphology of the synthesized compounds and SEM image of [UO(2)(L(2))(NO(3))(2)] complex exhibits nano rod structure. The growth-inhibiting potential of the ligands and their complexes has been assessed against a variety of bacterial and fungal strains.