Synthesis and antibacterial activity of metal complexes of cefazolin

Cefazolin (Hcefaz) interacts with transition metal(II) ions to give [ M( cefaz) Cl] complexes (M=Mn-II, Co-II, Ni-II, Cu-II, Zn-II, Pd-II) and [Ag-2(cefaz)(2)Cl-2] which were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Their i.r. and the H-1-n.m.r. spectra suggest that cefazolin behaves as a monoanionic tetradentate ligand. The complexes have been screened for antibacterial activity and the results are compared with the activity of cefazolin.