New generation of tetrapyrazolic macrocycles: Synthesis and examination of their complexation properties and antibacterial activity

Abstract The synthesis of three macrocycles, containing four pyrazolic units, with different side arms is described and the crystal structure of one of the intermediate compounds is also presented. The complexing properties of these compounds towards alkaline metal ions (Cs + , K + , Na + and Li + ) was studied by the liquid–liquid extraction process. The percentage values of extraction were determined by atomic absorption measurements and UV spectroscopy. These macrocycles extract selectively K + and highlight the good effect of using a long side chain bearing a donor group, on the percentage of extraction of the alkali cations K + , Na + and Li + . They also showed a good antibacterial against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms with minimum inhibitory concentrations at the range of 32–64 μg/mL.