Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity studies of N - N ′-tetracarboxydiethyloxamide ligand and its metal(II) complexes

N-N′-tetracarboxydiethyloxamide (hereafter abbreviated as H6L) was prepared by using L-aspartic acid and diethyl oxalate (DEO). A series of binuclear complexes of divalent metal chlorides viz. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) with H6L have been prepared. Spectral studies (IR, UV and NMR) magnetic susceptibility, elemental analysis and molar conductance measurements confirm the formation of binuclear complexes, [M2H2L]/[M2H2L · 4H2O]. Electronic absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibilities suggest square-planar stereochemistry for Cu(II) and tetrahedral for Zn(II) complexes. Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) coordinate two molecules of water and consequently show octahedral geometry. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds is discussed against bacterial strains such as S. aureus, S. epididermis, K. pneumonia, S. typhi, P. aerugenosa, and B. subtilis A. brasilense. The metal complexes show higher activity against all the microorganisms than the ligand.