Structural and biological behaviors of some nonionic Schiff-base amphiphiles and their Cu(II) and Fe(III) metal complexes

Novel series of nonionic Schiff bases was synthesized and characterized using microelemental analysis, FTIR and 1H NMR spectra. These Schiff bases and their complexes with Cu and Fe have been evaluated for their antibacterial activity against bacterial species such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aureus, Candida albi, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and their fungicidal activity against Aspcrgillus niger and Aspcrgillus flavus. The results of the biocidal activities showed high potent action of the synthesized Schiff bases towards both bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, complexation of these Schiff bases by Cu(II) and Fe(III) show the metal complexes to be more antibacterial and antifungal than the Schiff bases. The results were correlated to the surface activity and the transition metal type. The mode of action of these complexes was discussed.