Synthesis, structural characterization, and antifungal activity of Schiff bases and their transition metal mixed-ligand complexes

Mixed-ligand complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) have been prepared with biologically active Schiff bases, viz. potassium salt of o-hydroxyacetophenoneglycine [KHL] and bis(benzylidene)ethylenediamine [A(1)] or thiophene-o-carboxaldene-p-toluidine [A(2)]. The synthesized mixed-ligand complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetic measurements, and electronic and infrared spectra. The mixed-ligand complexes show higher antifungal activity as compared to the free ligands, metal salts, and the control (dimethylsulfoxide) but moderate activity as compared to the standard fungicides (bavistin and emcarb).