Spectroscopic, luminescence, electrochemical and antimicrobial studies of lanthanide complexes of bis-benzimidazole derived ligands

The lanthanide complexes of [1,2-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)ethane dihydrochloride], L1·2HCl and [1,4-bis(benzimidazole-2-onium)butane dihydrochloride], L2·2HCl having molecular formulae [Ln(L1)2Cl3H2O] and [Ln(L2)2Cl3H2O]·2H2O (Ln = La3+, Pr3+, Nd3+ and Gd3+), respectively, were prepared and characterized through IR, 1H and 13C NMR, ESI-mass, UV–visible and luminescence spectroscopic techniques. TGA data suggested presence of the coordinated and the lattice water. The oscillator strengths of the f–f transitions and the covalency parameters (β, b1/2 and δ) have been evaluated from the electronic spectral data. The proposed octa coordinate geometry for the complexes has been ascertained from the molecular model computations. CV studies indicate formation of stable quasi-reversible redox couples PrIII/IV, Nd III/IV and GdIII/IV in solution. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the complexes have been evaluated against gram +ve and gram −ve bacteria and fungi.