Organomercury(II) complexes of kojic acid and maltol: synthesis, characterization, and biological studies

A number of organomercury(II) complexes of kojic acid (HL1, I) and maltol (HL2, II) of the type p-XC6H4HgL1 (III) and p-XC6H4HgL2 (IV) [X = Me, MeO, NO2] have been synthesized and characterized. [formula: see text] Conductance measurements indicate the nonelectrolyte behavior of the complexes. From IR and UV studies, the bonding modes of the ligands to the organomercury(II) moieties have been elucidated. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra support the stoichiometry of the complexes. The fragmentation pattern has been analyzed on the basis of mass spectra. From thermal studies (TG and DTA), various kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for thermal degradation have been enumerated. The complexes have been screened against some pathogenic bacterial strains. The bactericidal activity has been correlated with the thermal data.