New antimicrobial epoxy-resin-bearing Schiff-base metal complexes

New epoxy resins, ER1-M(II) and ER2-M(II) (molar ratio of epichlorohydrin), bearing Schiff-base metal complexes were prepared by the condensation of epichlorohydrin with Schiff-base metal complexes (L2M, azomethine metal complexes) in 2 : 1 and 1.25 : 1 molar ratios, respectively, in an alkaline medium. The synthesized epoxy resins were characterized by various instrumental techniques, such as analytical, spectral, and thermal analysis. The epoxide equivalent weight (g/equiv) and epoxy value (equiv/100 g) of the synthesized epoxy resins were measured by standard procedures. The results of thermogravimetric analysis ascribed that ER2-M(H) showed better heat-resistance properties than ER1-M(H) epoxy resin. The glass-transition temperatures of all of the synthesized polymers were in the range 153-230 degrees C. The antimicrobial activities of these resins were screened against some bacteria and against some yeast with an agar well diffusion method. All of the synthesized resins showed promising antimicrobial activities. Cu(II)-chelated resin showed wider effective antibacterial and antifungal activities than the other resins because of a higher stability constant. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.