Antimicrobial activity of some 2-and 3-pyridinyl-1H-benzimidazoles and their Fe-III, Cu-II, Zn-II, and Ag-I complexes

Abstract

2-(2-Pyridinyl)- (L-I), 2-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-(L-II),2-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-5-methyl-(L-III), 2-(3-pyridinyl)- (L-IV), 2-(3-pyridinyl)-5-methyl-1H-benzimidazoles (L-V) and their complexes with Fe(NO3)(3), Cu(NO3)(2), Zn(NO3)(2), and AgNO3 were synthesized and antibacterial activity of the compounds was tested toward Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Proteus mirabilis and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The methyl groups of L-III increase the antimicrobial activity. The Ag-I complexes have considerable activity toward the microorganisms. Some Zn-II complexes show an antimicrobial effect against S. aureus and S. flexneri, although the ligands themselves have no effect. Cull complexes have a considerable antibacterial effect to S. aureus and S. epidermidis.