Synthesis, photophysical properties of novel fluorescent metal complexes from 3-(1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)naphthalen-2-ol, and their antimicrobial activities

A series of novel metal complexes containing metal atoms such as Zn, Co, Cu, Cd, Ni, Mg and Sn have been synthesized from 3-(1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)naphthalen-2-ol. The synthesized ligand was well characterized by IR, 1H-NMR and mass spectrometry. The electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetric analysis. The synthesized complexes are fluorescent and absorb in the range of 317 to 323 nm while emit in the range of 371 to 416 nm with good quantum yield. All metal complexes show significant in vitro antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus strains and in vitro antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger strains by using serial dilution method. The antibacterial activities were expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in μg/mL.