Synthesis and microbicidal activity of N-(2-substituted) phenyl ureas and their metal complexes

N-2-carboxyphenyl urea (CPU), N-2-hydroxyphenyl urea (HPU), and N-2-mercaptophenyl urea (MPU) and their Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), and Mn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination, molar conductance, IR and electronic spectral data, and magnetic measurements. Antibacterial activity of these ligands and their metal complexes was determined on gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria at 35 degrees C. Antifungal activity was determined on common fungi viz. Aspergillus niger, A. nidulense, and Candida albicans by the serial dilution method at 28 degrees C. A considerable increase in the biocidal activity of these ligands on being coordinated with the metal ions was reported in terms of their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values.