Catalytic Cyclopropanation, Antimicrobial, and DFT Properties of some Chelated Transition Metal(II) Complexes

Abstract Transition Metal (II) complexes of general formula [MII(NH2C2H4NH2)3][B(C6F5)4]2 (1-6), where (M= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and in solution using elemental, thermogravimetric analysis, EPR, 11B-NMR and IR spectroscopy. All complexes were used as catalysts for the cyclopropanation reaction with a variety of olefins. Excellent yields up to 93% were obtained using complex 5. All prepared complexes were used as anti-bacterial agents against different types of bacteria (Gram-negative and Gram-positive), and as anti-fungal agents. Complex 6 showed the highest activity with MIC value of 8 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria), and of 16 µg/mL against candida albicans. To get more insights into their structural features, molecular geometries of all prepared complexes were fully optimized using density functional theory calculations at the M06-2X/6-311+G** level of theory.