Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Antimicrobial properties of Co(II), Ni (II) and Cu(II) complexes of (E)-N’-(2-hydroxy -5-nitrobenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide)

The objective of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial activity of novel schiff base metal complexes. the resistance of micro-organisms to classical antimicrobial compounds poses a challenge to effective management and treatment of some diseases. in line with this, copper (ii), nickel (ii) and cobalt (ii) complexes of the schiff base ligand (e)-n’-(2- hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylidene) isonicotinohydrazide) were synthesized and characterized based on elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, infrared and electronic absorption spectroscopy. the results suggest a 1:2 [m:l] stoichiometry for the copper and cobalt complexes and a 1:1 [m:l] ratio for the nickel complex. the electronic absorption spectral data support octahedral geometry for cobalt(ii) and copper(ii) complexes and square planar for nickel (ii). in-vitro antimicrobial properties of the compounds evaluated against five pathogenic bacteria using the agar-well diffusion method revealed that the activity was in the order ni>co>cu. these compounds can be used as substrates for development of new antimicrobial agents.