Cephalosporin Tin(II) Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity

The synthesis and spectral characterization of mononuclear cephalosporin tin(II) complexes of general formula [Sn(L)Cl] (L = monoanion of cephalothin HL1, cephradine HL2, cefotaxime HL3, cefazolin HL4, and ceftriaxone HL5), are reported. They were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The spectra indicated that the antibiotics act as multidentate ligand toward metal ions, via the amide and lactam carbonyl and carboxylate and N-azomoieties. The complexes are nontoxic, insoluble in water, and common organic solvents and probably have polymeric structures. The ligands and their tin complexes have been screened for their antibacterial activities and found to be quite active in this respect. Coordination of cephalothin and cephradine to tin(II) ion showed an enhancement of the antibacterial activity.