The preparation and properties of some complexes of cobalt(II), zinc(II) and copper(II) with several newly synthesized benzimidazole derivatives (L) are reported. The complexes, of the general formula [MCl2L2] (M=Co(II), Zn(II)) and [CuCl2L(H2O]), have a tetrahedral structure. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR and absorption electronic spectra. The antibacterial activitiy of the benzimidazoles and their complexes was evaluated against Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora and Erwinia amylovora. The complexes were found to be more toxic than the ligands.

A set of benzimidazole derivatives were tested for their inhibitory activities against the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for all the compounds. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was applied to fourteen of the abovementioned derivatives using a combination of various physicochemical, steric, electronic, and structural molecular descriptors. A multiple linear regression (MLR) procedure was used to model the relationships between molecular descriptors and the antibacterial activity of the benzimidazole derivatives. The stepwise regression method was used to derive the most significant models as a calibration model for predicting the inhibitory activity of this class of molecules. The best QSAR models were further validated by a leave one out technique as well as by the calculation of statistical parameters for the established theoretical models. To confirm the predictive power of the models, an external set of molecules was used. High agreement between experimental and predicted inhibitory values, obtained in the validation procedure, indicated the good quality of the derived QSAR models.

Zinc(II) chloride was reacted with some 1-benzylbenzimidazole derivatives (L) to give complexes of the formula ZnL2Cl2. All the ligands and their zinc(II) complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Sarcina lutea. Themajority of the investigated compounds displayed in vitro antimicrobial activity against very persistent microorganisms. It was found that all the tested compounds were more active against gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for all ligands and their complexes. The effect of the structure of the ligands and complexes on the antimicrobial activity is discussed. The complexes were found to be more toxic than the ligands.

In the present paper, the antibacterial activity of some 1-benzylbenzimidazole derivatives were evaluated against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined for all the compounds. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was employed to study the effect of the lipophilicity parameters (log P) on the inhibitory activity. Log P values for the target compounds were experimentally determined by the "shake-flask" method and calculated by using eight different software products. Multiple linear regression was used to correlate the log P values and antibacterial activity of the studied benzimidazole derivatives. The results are discussed based on statistical data. The most acceptable QSAR models for the prediction of the antibacterial activity of the investigated series of benzimidazoles were developed. High agreement between the experimental and predicted inhibitory values was obtained. The results of this study indicate that the lipophilicity parameter has a significant effect on the antibacterial activity of this class of compounds, which simplifies the design of new biologically active molecules.

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