Antimicrobial activity of 1,2-Bis-[2-(5-R)-1H-benzimidazolyl]-1,2-ethanediols, 1,4-Bis-[2-(5-R)1H-benzimidazolyl]-1,2,3,4-butanetetraols and their Fe-III, Cu-II, and Ag-I complexes

Abstract

1,2-Bis-[2-(5-H/Me/Cl/NO2)-1H-benzimidazolyl]-1,2-ethanediols (L-1-L-4), 1,4-Bis-[2-(5-H/Me/Cl)-1H-benzimidazolyl]-1,2,3,4-butanetetraols (L-5-L-7) and their complexes with FeCl3, CuCl2, and AgNO3 were synthesized; antibacterial activity of the compounds was determined toward Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Proteus mirabilis, and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The Ag-I complexes have considerable activity toward the microorganisms. Some Ag-I complexes show higher activity toward S. epidermidis than AgNO3 and cefuroxime. Cu(L-3)Cl-2 and Fe(L-3)Cl-3 show an antifungal effect on C albicans but L-3 itself has no activity.