Abstract:
The improper use of antibiotics has led to an increase in drug-resistant bacteria against
known antibiotics. To overcome the alarming problem of microbial resistance to
antibiotics, the discovery of novel active metal complexes derived from biologically
active heterocyclic aromatic ligands for drug development against new targets is a matter
of urgency. Based on this, in the present study two new Iron (III) complexes
[Fe(phen)2(en)(H2O)]Cl3 mononuclear and [Fe2(phen)4(en)(H2O)2]Cl6 binuclear were
synthesized from FeCl3, 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate, and ethylenediamine by drop
wise addition of ligand solution to the salt. The structures of the synthesized complexes
were characterized using various Physico-chemical (Chloride test, molar conductance,
solubility test, and melting point) and spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, UV-Vis, ICP-OES
analysis). The change in color, solubility, melting point, peak position in the FT-IR and
UV-Vis from the ligand indicate the formation of metal complexes. Based on the
analytical and spectroscopic data Octahedral geometry were presumed to be achieved.
The synthesized metal complexes have been evaluated for their in-vitro antibacterial
activity against some Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes)
and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Pneumonia) bacteria by Disc
diffusion method. The comparative antibacterial study was also conducted using
commercial drug Gentamycin as reference material. The synthesized complexes showed
even higher antibacterial activity on (S. aurous and K. Pneumonia) and comparable
antibacterial activity on (S.pyogenes and E.Coli) compared to the standard antibiotic drug
Gentamycin. Thus, the synthesized complexes may be considered as potential
antibacterial agents after passing cytotoxicity testing