Four novel binuclear copper(II) complexes [1-4] of (2E)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-4 N-substituted hydrazinecarbothioamides, (OH)(OCH 3 )C 6 H 4 CH=NNHC(S)NHR, where R = H (L 1 ), Me (L 2 ), Et (L 3 ), or Ph (L 4 ), have been synthesized and characterized. The FT-IR spectral data suggested the attachment of copper(II) ion to ligand moiety through the azomethine nitrogen, thioketonic sulphur, and phenolic-O. The spectroscopic characterization indicates the dissociation of dimeric complex into mononuclear [Cu(L)Cl] units in polar solvents like DMSO, where L is monoanionic thiosemicarbazone. The DNA binding properties of the complexes with calf thymus (CT) DNA were studied by spectroscopic titration. The complexes show binding affinity to CT DNA with binding constant ( ) values in the order of 10 6 M −1 . The ligands and their metal complexes were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities by agar disc diffusion method. Except for complex 4, all complexes showed considerable activity almost equal to the activity of ciprofloxacin. These complexes did not show any effect on Gram-negative bacteria, whereas they showed moderate activity for Gram-positive strains.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C11H15N3O2S, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of N—H⋯O and O—H⋯S hydrogen, forming inversion dimers. These dimers are linked by N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds, forming double-stranded chains propagating along the b-axis direction. The two C atoms of the end chain of the mol­ecule are disordered over two sets os sites [occupancy ratio 0.574 (9):0.426 (9)].

Six new complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) with substituted benzofuran derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moments, conductance measurements, spectral characterization, and so forth. Elemental data coincide with the general formula MLC1n, where L = (E)-7-Methoxy-N1-(2,4,5-trimethoxy benzylidene) benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (L1) or (E)-N1-(2,6-dichloro benzylidene)-7-methoxy benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (L2), of the complexes. The ligands coordinate to the metal ions through the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the nitrogen of the hydrazine group. Electronic spectral data of the complexes suggests the probable geometry is octahedral in nature. All the complexes and ligands were screened for their antibacterial activity. Among them, Co, Ni, and Cu complexes of L2 showed good activity against all microbes.