Synthesis, spectral and biological evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity and molecular docking studies of Schiff base ligand 1,2-cyclohexadiene/o-vanillin and its transition metal complexes

Abstract

Exploring application of cost-effective transition metal-based drugs with high pharmaceutical properties has led to the progression of Schiff-base centred medicinal chemistry. Following this line, herein a series of new class of transition metal complexes Ni(II), Cd(II), Mn (II) and Zn(II) have been synthesized using a Schiff base ligand derived from 2 moles of o-vanillin and 1 mole of 1,2-cyclohexanediamine. The elemental analysis, conductivity, 1H NMR, UV-Vis, IR spectra and TGA studies have been used to characterize the as-synthesized ligand together with associated metal complexes. Additionally, testing the antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria establishes a higher inhibiting efficiency and high-points the role of the compounds in stronger antibiotic use action. As a result, the current study acknowledges the potential of the new Schiff-base derived complexes as prescription medication.