Synthesis and characterization of several transition and non-transition metal complexes from substituted imidazole ligands and evaluation of their anti-bacterial activity

In this study, several complexes of transition elements and zinc ions were synthesized using a new ligand from the imidazole class. A new series of coordination compounds comprising Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) ions with Schiff base ligands was synthesized and systematically classified. All of the complexes were synthesized by reacting the ligand, as mentioned earlier, directly with metal chlorides at a (2:1) (Ligand: Metal) molar ratio. These synthesized complexes were analyzed via elemental analysis and spectroscopic tools, including FTIR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, and electrical conductivity profiling, and electronic spectra indicate the presence of tetrahedral and octahedral coordination geometries around the metal ions. The antibacterial efficacy of these complexes was investigated against distinct microbial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The complexes exhibited variable antimicrobial activity, demonstrating higher efficacy than the free ligand but lower than the standard control. KEY WORDS: Schiff base, Imidazole ligand, Dinuclear, Metal complexes, Antibacterial activity, Elemental analysis Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2026, 40(1), 11-22. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v40i1.2