The Schiff base ligand, namely
(7E)-N-benzylidene-2-styrylbenzena-mine1,2-diamine-2,4-dihydroxy-phenol,
(L), was synthesized from condensation of 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with
o-phenylenediamine. The reaction of the ligand with Fe(III), Co(II) and
Ni(II) salts in a 1: 1 ratio yielded three complexes 1-3. Different
analytical tools like elemental analysis, ESI-mass spectra, FT-IR,
conductivity, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility, NMR and EPR
mea-surements are used to elucidate the structure of the ligand and
complexes. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation at the
B3LYP/3-211G++/LANL2DZ level of the theory has been carried out to optimize
the geometry of the ligand and complexes. The tetradentate ligand has
coordinated to metals through ONNO donors affording octahedral geometry.
Complexes were studied for their oxygen-binding activity and free radical
scavenging activities. Complex 1 and 2, which contain Fe(IIl) and Co(II),
displayed reversible oxygen binding activity. On the other hand, complex 3
fails to show oxygen binding. The order of antioxidant activity is 3 > 1 > 2
> L.