Abstract

This study reports the synthesis of a bi-dentate Schiff base ligand (L), 7-(2-((2-formylbenzylidene) amino)-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, prepared from phthalaldehyde and cephalexin antibiotic. The synthesized Schiff base ligand (L) and the secondary ligand alizarin (Az) are used to prepare the new complexes [M(Az)₂(L)] and [Cr(Az)₂(L)]Cl, where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II). The mode of bonding of the Schiff base has been characterized by UV-Visible, FT-IR, Mass, ¹H-, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques, and micro elemental analysis (CHNS). The complexes were characterized using UV-Vis, FT-IR, molar conductance, magnetic moment, and thermal analysis (TG/DTG). The molar conductance data revealed that the complexes are non-electrolytes except for [Cr(L)(Az)₂]Cl, which is an electrolytic type 1:1. The Schiff base and its complexes have been tested for their biological activity against two strains of bacteria and one fungus. When screened against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens, the Az and L ligands and their complexes showed potential antimicrobial activity.