Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial and cytotoxic study of metal complexes with Schiff base ligands

The synthesis of 16 metal complexes from four Schiff bases prepared from 5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and primary amines has been described. The synthesized Schiff base ligands and their complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic (UV, IR, H-1 and C-13 NMR, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry) methods, and magnetic and conductance measurements. Furthermore, complexes 1a, 1b, 3d, 4a, and 4d were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. After the structural characterization, all the compounds were tested in vitro for their antibacterial ( Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Staphylococcus aureus) activities. The cytotoxic activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro against human chronic myeloid leukaemia cells (K562) and a human nasopharyngeal epidermoid tumour cell line. The results indicated that most of the complexes showed good cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines but weak cytotoxic activity against a human normal cell line (L02). Among the compounds tested, the cobalt complexes 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a showed the most favourable antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.