Two tridentate Schiff base ligands and their mononuclear cobalt (III) complexes: Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Two Schiff base ligands (HL1, HL2) and their Co(III) complexes, [Co(HL1)(L1)] (1) and [Co(HL2)(L2)] (2) [where HL1=2-((E)-(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl)-4-chlorophenol and HL2=2-((E)-(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl)-4-bromophenol] were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been re-determined by single crystal diffraction at 100K. The ligands and their Co(III) complexes were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities by the disc diffusion, microdilution broth and single spore culture techniques. The antimicrobial activity of the Co(III) complexes and the free ligands exhibit antimicrobial properties and the Co(III) complexes show enhanced inhibitory activity compared with their parent ligand.