Nickel(II) complexes of m-ethylphenylxanthate with nitrogen donors and their biological screening

Abstract

A series of five adducts of m-ethylphenylxanthate of nickel(II) [(m-C₂H₅C₆H₄OCS₂)₂Ni] with nitrogen donors have been synthesized in 1:2 molar ratio by the reaction of aqueous solution of NiCl₂.6H₂O with aqueous solution of sodium salt of m-ethylphenylxanthate. These metal complexes are reacted with nitrogen donors to give donor stabilized complex, [(m-C₂H₅C₆H₄OCS₂)₂(L)₂Ni] where, L= 2-, 3-, 4-ethylpyridine and 2-, 3-chloropyridine. The adducts have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, electronic, mass spectral studies, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, biological studies. The spectral studies have revealed the octahedral coordination of ligands around Ni(II) metal ion. The adducts are found to be paramagnetic and non-ionic in nature. Mass studies show the monomeric nature of the adducts. The complexes have depicted potential antifungal activity against <em>Bipolaris maydis</em> and <em>Rhizoctonia solani</em>. Some of the synthesized Ni(II) xanthate complexes display <em>in vitro </em>cytotoxic efficacy against human cancer cell lines.