Synthetic, spectroscopic, fluorescence, and biological investigation of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from 3-formyl-2-mercaptoquinolines (Quinol-2-thiones)

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes have been prepared with Schiff bases derived from 3-formyl-2-mercaptoquinoline and substituted anilines. The prepared Schiff bases and chelates have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibilities, electronic, IR, 1H-NMR, ESR, cyclic voltammetry, FAB-mass, and thermal studies. The complexes have stoichiometry of the type ML2 2H2O coordinating through azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur of 2-mercapto quinoline. An enhancement in fluorescence has been noticed in the Zn(II) complexes whereas quenching occurred in the other complexes. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro for antibacterial and antifungal activities by MIC methods with biological activity increasing on complexation. Cu(II) complexes show greater bacterial than fungicidal activities. The brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out to study the in vitro cytotoxicity properties of the ligands and their corresponding complexes. Only four compounds have exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina; the other compounds were almost inactive for this assay.