ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 54, Number 5
JKCSEZ 54(5)
October 20, 2010 

A relation between antimicrobial activities and the formation constants of solid complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Fe(III) with tridentate Schiff base ligand, 4-hydroxy-3(1-{2-(benzylideneamino)-phenylimino}-ethyl)-6-methyl-2Hpyran- 2-one (HL) derived from o-phenylene diamines, dehydroacetic acid (DHA) and p-chloro benzaldehyde have been studied. The ligand and metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, IR, ¹H-NMR, UV-vis and mass spectra. From the analytical data, the stiochiometry of the complexes was found to be 1:2 (metal:ligand) with octahedral geometry. The molar conductance values suggest the nonelectrolytic nature of metal complexes. The X-ray diffraction data suggests monoclinic crystal system for Ni(II) and orthorhombic crystal system for Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes. The IR spectral data suggest that the ligand behaves as tridentate ligand with ONN donor atoms sequence towards central metal ion. Thermal behavior (TG/DTA) and kinetic parameters calculated by Coats-Redfern method suggests more ordered activated state in complex formation. The protonation constants of the complexes were determined potentiometrically in THF:water (60:40) medium at 25 ^oC and ionic strength μ = 0.1 M (NaClO₄). Antibacterial activities in vitro were performed against Staphylococcus aureu and Escherichia coli. Antifungal activities were studied against Aspergillus Niger and Trichoderma. The effect of the metal ions and stabilities of complexes on antimicrobial activities are discussed.