Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, antimicrobial activity and photodynamic effects of some thiabendazole complexes

An interesting series of metal complexes of thiabendazole (tbz) is synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic studies. The crystal structure of the hydrogen bonded one dimensional Co(II) complex, namely [Co(tbz)(2)(NO(3))(H(2)O)](NO(3)) is solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/a with unit cell parameters, a=14.366(2), b=11.459(4), c=15.942(3) A, beta=113.78(3) degrees and z=4. The unit cell packing reveals an extensive hydrogen bonding involving a water molecule, nitrate ligands and the protonated nitrogen atoms of the tbz ligands, resulting in a one dimensional hydrogen bonding pattern. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes against selected bacteria (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and yeast (Aspergillus flavues) is estimated. The relationship between the enzymatic production of ROS and antimicrobial activity of the complexes is examined, and a good correlation between two factors is found. Photodynamic quantum yields of singlet oxygen production (RNO bleaching assay) and rate of superoxide generation (SOD inhibitable ferricytochrome c reduction assay and EPR spin trapping experiments using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide as spin trap) by the metal complexes have been studied.