Synthesis and physicochemical studies of a series of mixed-ligand transition metal complexes and their molecular docking investigations against Coronavirus main protease

A novel series of mixed-ligand complexes of the type, [M(L-1)(L-2)Cl]center dot 2H(2)O [L-1 = 2-(alpha-methyl salicylidene hydrazine) benzimidazole (primary ligand), L-2 = 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy;secondary ligand), M = Co(n), Ni(n), Cu(n) and Zn(n)], were based on the physicoanalytical studies The spectroscopic findings revealed tridentate nature of the Schiff base ligand (L-1) and its coordination to the metal ions via azomethine nitrogen, ring nitrogen and the deprotonated phenolic oxygen atoms Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi microorganisms In addition, molecular docking studies were carried out against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (PDB ID: 4ZS6) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 main protease (PDB ID: 6W63)