What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to synthesize and characterize new metal complexes of paracetamol and phenanthroline, while evaluating their antimicrobial properties.

April 4, 2026Open Access

New coordination insights into paracetamol and 1,10-phenanthroline metal complexes: Synthesis, characterization, DFT calculations, and antimicrobial study

Key Points

The aim is to synthesize and characterize new metal complexes of paracetamol and phenanthroline, while evaluating their antimicrobial properties.
Synthesis of seven bidentate metal complexes of paracetamol and 1,10-phenanthroline
Characterization using UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopies, magnetic moment measurements, and elemental analysis
Assessment of antimicrobial activity against selected bacteria and fungi
DFT calculations for electronic structure analysis
All synthesized complexes displayed octahedral geometry and electrolytic nature
Significant antimicrobial activity was observed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as Candida albicans
DFT calculations provided insights into molecular structure and electronic properties

Abstract

Seven novel bidentate metal complexes of paracetamol (Para) and 1,10- Phenanthroline (Phen), with the general formula M(Para)(Phen)2Cl2 (M(II) = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd), were synthesized in the present work and characterized by metal content, conductivity, melting point, elemental analysis, magnetic moment measurements, and UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopies. The molar conductance values further indicate that the complexes are electrolytic in nature. Paracetamol coordinates through its carbonyl (C=O) group and the amide nitrogen, whereas phenanthroline binds via its (N,N) donor atoms; therefore, both ligands act as bidentate, neutral donors. All complexes exhibit octahedral geometry, with one paracetamol and two phenanthroline ligands surrounding the metal ion. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria, as well as the fungus Candida albicans. DFT calculations were performed for selected complexes to obtain optimized structuresand analyze electronic orbitals and related parameters.

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