Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and antimicrobial activities of Ni(II) and Fe(II) complexes with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-nitrosalicylaldimine

Metal complexes [Ni(HL1)(2)H2O] (1) and [Fe(HL1)(2)] (2), where HL1 is the tridentate Schiff base N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-nitrosalicylaldimine, were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single crystal diffraction at 100K. Complexes 1 and 2 have a distorted octahedral geometry. The ligand and metal complexes were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities by the disk diffusion, microdilution broth, and single spore culture techniques. Antimicrobial activities of the ligand and its complexes have been tested against 10 bacteria, two yeast, and five filamentous fungi. The ligand and metal complexes were found to be active against all tested micro-organisms.