Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of N,N-bis(3,3-dimethyl-allyl)-dithiocarbamate: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, antimicrobial and molecular docking studies

Abstract A potassium salt of N,N-bis(3,3-dimethyl-allyl)-dithiocarbamate has been synthesized from three step processes involving the synthesis of bis(3,3-dimethyl-allyl)-cyanamide and subsequent conversion to N,N-bis(3,3-dimethyl-allyl)amine. The dithiocarbamate ligand was obtained in a rapid exothermic reaction involving the amine and carbon disulfide in alkali medium, and its Ni(II), Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes are reported. The characterization of the ligand and its metal complexes were carried out using various spectroscopic (FTIR, NMR, Mass) and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Square planar structures were proposed for the complexes as obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies for Pt (II) and Pd(II) complexes and magnetic moment study for the Ni(II) complex. Antimicrobial susceptibility screening of the compounds was carried out using Gram positive strains: Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, Gram negative strains: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a fungal species: C. albicans. The drugs ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole were used as the reference standard drugs. The metal complexes showed significant antimicrobial activity. Thus, further study on this approach could pave a way for the development of dithiocarbamate-metal complex based antimicrobial agents.