Some ternary complexes of curcumin have been synthesized by the reaction of M(II) nitrate with curcumin as primary ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as supporting ligand in water/ethanol solution under a nitrogen atmosphere. The composition of the complexes has been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, thermogravimetric analysis, IR, UV-vis spectroscopy. The results reveal that curcumin ligand coordinates with M(II) in bidentate mode after deprotonation. The supporting ligand (phen) uses its two N atoms in coordination with metal ions in bidentate mode. The general formula of the complexes is [M(Cur)(phen)]NO 3 (M = Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Z(II)). The results of antibacterial activity indicated that the complexes have good antibacterial ability for the testing bacterium than that of curcumin. Furthermore, the [M(Cur)(phen)]NO 3 complexes were evaluated for its in vitro anticancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma.

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