Synthesis and characterization of ternary complexes of certain hydroxyl acids and their biological applications

Abstract

Ternary complexes of Cu(II) and Zn(II) with the amino acid, glycine (gly), as a primary ligand, and hydroxy acids i.e. salicylic acid (HL1), lactic acid (HL2) and glycolic acid (HL3), as a secondary ligand, were synthesized in a slightly acidic medium and isolated in a ratio of (1:1:1). The ternary complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, spectral (UV-vis, IR) studies, thermal techniques, magnetic measurements, ESR and their biological activity were investigated. A square planar geometry for Cu (II) and Zn (II) was proposed. In order to evaluate the biological activity of hydroxy acids and to assess the role of metal ion on biological activity, the hydroxy acids and their metal complexes have been studied in vitro antibacterial against Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli, and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. In most cases, a higher activity was exhibited upon coordination with metal ions.