Synthesis, Characterization and in Vitro Antimicrobial Studies of Schiff-Bases Derived from Acetylacetone and Amino Acids and their Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes

A series of novel amino acid derived Schiff-bases and their Oxovanadium(IV) complexes were synthesized and well characterized by elemental analyses, spectral studies, conductivity and magnetic measurements. Physical and analytical data suggest that the Schiff bases act as tridentate ligands towards metal ion via azomethine-N, deprotonated-O of carboxylic group and enolic-O group of acetylacetone. All the complexes have lower molar conductance values, indicating their non-electrolytic nature. The synthesized ligands, along with their metal complexes were screened for their in-vitro antibacterial activity against two Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi ) and two Gram-positive ( Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus ) bacterial strains and for in vitro antifungal activity against Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus , and Candida glaberata species. The results of these studies revealed that all the compounds and their metal complexes showed significant antibacterial and antifungal potency. Brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out for in vitro cytotoxic properties against Artemia salina .