Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activities of Salicylaldehyde Schiff Base-Cu(II) Complex and Its Catalytic Activity in N-Arylation Reactions

Salicylaldehyde Schiff base-Cu complex (1:1 [M:L] chelate) was synthesized using salicylaldehyde, urea, and CuCl2. Its catalytic activity was then assessed in N-arylation of aromatic amines (1H-indole, 1H- pyrazole, 1H-imidazole, 1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole, and aniline) with aryl halides. This reaction does not need aryl boronic acids as the active aryl source or palladium-based catalyst. Cu is cheaper than many other catalysts, and required ligands usually having quite simple structure and being inexpensive. On the other hand, with a proper ligand selection we can have a modified solubility, reactivity, and reaction efficiency. The structure and composition of this novel complex were approved by FT-IR, UV-Vis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and TGA/DTA. Investigating the antibacterial activity of the Cu complex suggests a significant antibacterial activity against standard species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.