A new Schiff base was prepared from the reaction of 4,4 0 -methylenedianiline with 2benzoylpyridine in 1:2 molar ratio, as well as its different metal chelates. The structures of the ligand and its metal complexes were studied by elemental analyses, spectroscopic methods (infrared [IR], ultraviolet-visible [UV-vis], 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR], electron spin resonance [ESR]), magnetic moment measurements, and thermal studies. The ligand acts as tetradentate moiety in all complexes. Octahedral geometry was suggested for Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), and Zn(II) chloride complexes and pentacoordinated structure and square planar geometry for Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(NO 3 ) 2 , CuBr 2 , and Pd(II) complexes. ESR spectra of copper(II) complexes (4)-(6) at room temperature display rhombic symmetry for complex (4) and axial type symmetry for complexes (5) and (6), indicating d x 2y 2 1 ground state for Cu(II) complexes. The derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) curves of the ligand and its metal complexes were analyzed by using the rate equation to calculate the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, which indicated strong binding of the ligand with the metal ion in some complexes. Also, some of these compounds were screened to establish their potential as anticancer agents against the human hepatic cell line Hep-G 2 . The obtained IC 50 value of the copper(II) bromide complex (4.34 μg/mL) is the highest among the compounds studied.
Biological studiesA preliminary investigation of antitumor activity of ligand L and some of its metal complexes (4-7, 9) was carried out against human hepatic cell line Hep-G 2 at the Regional Center for Mycology and Biotechnology, Al-262 www.jccs.wiley-vch.de
JOURNAL OF THE CHINESE CHEMICAL SOCIETYPhysiochemical studies of transition metal complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine Schiff base Scheme 6. TG weight losses of Cr(III) complex (8). Scheme 5. TG weight losses of Mn(II) complex (1).
JOURNAL OF THE CHINESE CHEMICAL SOCIETYPhysiochemical studies of transition metal complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine Schiff base Scheme 7. TG weight losses of Cu(II) bromide complex (5).