Synthesis, characterization, DNA interaction and antibacterial activities of two tetranuclear cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with salicylaldehyde 2-phenylquinoline-4-carboylhydrazone

Salicylaldehyde 2-phenylquinoline-4-carboylhydrazone (H 2 L), and its novel tetranuclear cobalt(II), nickel(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of (NiL) 2 ·[NiL(H 2 O)(DMF)] 2 ·H 2 O·DMF obtained from DMF solutions of compound 2 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The DNA-binding investigation suggests that the two complexes bind to DNA via groove binding mode. The in vitro antibacterial activity of complexes against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis was screened and compared to the activity of the free ligand, the antibacterial activity of complex 1 is active than complex 2 which is in consistent with their DNA-binding behaviors.