Killing effects of Candida albicans through alteration of cellular morphology and growth metabolism using Tris-NHC ligand coordinated to AgI and CuI

•Benzimidazole based novel ligands and their silver and copper complexes are prepared.•Transmetalation of silver complex into copper complex.•The solvent polarity were studied by FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR and fragmentation pattern in ESI-MS and HRMS.•In vitro surveys on antimicrobial impending of the compounds.•The most potent silver and copper complex shows high degree of activity against Candida albicans.•Proficient antimicrobial effect of compounds by membrane obliteration mechanism.