Synthesis, spectral characterizations, antioxidant, and antibacterial studies of novel Schiff base and its metal complexes

Abstract

A new Schiff base ligand has been produced by refluxing 8-hydroxyjulolidine-9-carboxaldehyde with H-imidazo [1,2-a]pyridin-6-amine in methanol using an acetic acid catalyst. The ligand has been studied by elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and ESI-MS, resulting in an 86% yield. Metal complexes of Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) have then been formed by reacting them with metal acetate salts. The coordination of azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen has been established through characterization. The antioxidant capability has been tested using a DPPH radical scavenging experiment, which has revealed that metal complexes outperformed free ligands. The disc diffusion method has been used to assess antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and metal complexes demonstrate superior inhibition zones.