Synthesis, Characterization, Electrochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Schiff Bases and Benzimidazoles Including Ferrocene Group and Their CoCl2 Complexes

In this study, two Schiff bases, 2-(ferrocen-1-yl-methyliden)amino-4-methylphenol (HSB1) and 2-(ferrocen-1-yl-methyliden)amino-4-chloro-5-nitrophenol (HSB2), and three benzimidazole derivatives containing the ferrocene group, 2-[(ferrocen-1-yl)-5-x-6-y-1H-benzimidazole ({x = methyl, y = H} BZ1, {x = methyl, y = methyl} BZ2 and {x = chloro, y = nitro} BZ3), and their CoCl2 complexes were synthesized and characterized. Magnetic moment and molar conductivity properties of the complexes were measured. Electrochemical data obtained by cyclic voltammetry exhibits quasi-reversible one-electron redox behavior for the ligands and the complexes. In addition, antimicrobial activities of the compounds were tested against six bacteria and three fungi. It was observed that the compounds have a wide range of antimicrobial activities on the test microorganisms. It was found that the non-chelate complexes are more effective than the other complexes and ligands. The highest antifungal activity was exhibited by the Co(II) complex of BZ2 against C. parapsilosis with a MIC value of 19.5 µg/mL.