Synthesis and antibacterial activity of cephalexin metal complexes

The interactions of cephalexin (Hcepha) with transition and d(10) metal ions have been investigated. The complexes [M(cepha)Cl]nH(2)O [M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II)] were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The IR and H-1 NMR spectra of the complexes suggest that cephalexin behaves as a monoanionic tridentate ligand. In vitro antibacterial activities of Hcepha and the complexes were tested.