SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, DNA CLEAVAGE AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF Cu (II), Ni (II) AND Zn (II) SCHIFF BASE METAL COMPLEXES OF 2-HYDROXY-1-NAPHTHALDEHYDE

An economical and environmental friendly method has been developed for the synthesis of Schiff base ligand N,N'bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene)-4-hydroxyphenylmethanediamine by one pot three components reaction of 2hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde , 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde and ammonium acetate salt in the presence of triethyl amine under solvent free condition at room temperature. Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been prepared by refluxing the Schiff base ligand and metal salts in methanol. The Ligand and its metal complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT–IR, UV–VIS, 1 HNMR and 13 CNMR, Cyclic Voltammetry, Thermal, Magnetic and EPR studies. In all complexes, the ligand is tetradentate, the oxygen in the ortho position and azomethine nitrogen atoms of the ligand coordinate to the metal ions. The DNA cleavage studies were monitored by gel electrophoresis method. This study revealed that all the complexes show good nuclease activity. Antimicrobial activity of the Schiff base ligand and it’s Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) metal complexes were tested using the well diffusion method. The activity data showed that the Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes are more potent antimicrobials than the parent Schiff base ligand against microorganisms.