Metalloantibiotics: synthesis and antibacterial activity of ceftazidime metal complexes

Ceftazidime (Hceftaz) interacts with transition metal(II) ions to give octahedral [M(ceftaz)(H2O)Cl] complexes [M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II)] which were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The spectra indicated that the ligand is a multidentate chelating agent. The complexes are insoluble in water and common organic solvents and probably have polymeric structures. The antibacterial activity of the metal complexes was found to be lower than that of free ceftazidime.