Synthesis, spectral characterization and antimicrobial activity of macrocyclic Schiff-base copper(II) complexes containing polycrystalline nanosized grains

Schiff-base copper(II) complexes were prepared using macrocyclic ligands, synthesized by condensation of diethylmalonate with Schiff bases derived from o-phenylenediamine and Knoevenagel condensed β-ketoanilides (obtained by the condensation of acetoacetanilide and substituted benzaldehydes). The ligands and their copper complexes were characterized by microanalytical, mass, UV–Vis, IR, 1H-NMR, ESR and CV studies, as well as conductivity data. Microanalytical, mass and magnetic moment analyses are consistent with formation of monomeric [CuL]Cl2. Spectral studies indicate square-planar geometry around copper. The smaller grain sizes found from XRD data suggest that these complexes are polycrystalline with nanosized grains. The SEM images of [CuL1]Cl2 have leaf-like morphology. The in vitro biological screening of the investigated compounds against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and fungi Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus st...