Synthesis and Spectral Studies of New Azomethine Metal Complexes With Biological Activity and Docking Studies Utilizing 3‐Methylpyridin‐2‐Amine as a Complexing Agent

Abstract

The novel Schiff base, (Z)‐2‐(1‐((3‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)imino)ethyl)phenol (HL), was synthesized by reacting 1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanone with 3‐methylpyridin‐2‐amine. Metal complexes [M (L)n (H2O)2] (M = Co and Cu, n = 2) were synthesized and characterized utilizing various analytical techniques including UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, elemental analysis, molar conductance, 1H NMR, thermal analysis, and magnetic moment measurement. The findings indicated that the Co+2 and Cu+2 complexes exhibited octahedral geometries. In vitro biological activity testing was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the complexes against Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria strains. Similarly, molecular docking was conducted to elucidate the interactions between the active sites of protein–metal complexes and dihydrofolate reductase as well as ferrochelatase.