Synthesis, characterisation and biological aspects of copper(II) dithiocarbamate complexes, [Cu{S2CNR(CH2CH2OH)}2], (R = Me, Et, Pr and CH2CH2OH)

Cu(II) dithiocarbamates, [Cu{S2CNR(CH2CH2OH)}2], R = Me (1), Et (2), Pr (3) and CH2CH2OH (4), have been prepared from HNR(CH2CH2OH) (R = Me, Et, Pr and CH2CH2OH), CS2 and Cu(OAc)2. Characterisation of the complexes were generally achieved by infrared and EPR spectroscopies and, in addition, for (2) and (3), by X-ray crystallography at 120 K. Complex (2) crystallises as a Cu–S linked dimer, in which the CH2CH2OH groups have a cis arrangement in each monomer but are trans to those in the other monomer partner. On the other hand complex (3) exists in the solid state in the form of two similar and independent centrosymmetric monomers. The weak antiferromagnetic coupling, present in similar complexes, was absent in complexes (1)–(3). The in vitro activity of (1)–(4) was investigated against colonies of Candida albicans, Sthaphyloccocus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They all displayed MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values against C. albicans close to those found for Fluconazole. All complexes were inert towards Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus and P. auruginosa, respectively.