Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of salicylaldehyde schiff base-cu(ii) complex and its catalytic activity in n-arylation reactions

Salicylaldehyde Schiff base-Cu complex (1:1 [M:L] chelate) was synthesized using salicylaldehyde, urea, and CuCl2. Its catalytic activity was then assessed in Narylation of aromatic amines (1H-indole, 1H- pyrazole, 1H-imidazole, 1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole, and aniline) with aryl halides. This reaction does not need aryl boronic acids as the active aryl source or palladiumbased catalyst. Cu is cheaper than many other catalysts, and required ligands usually having quite simple structure and being inexpensive. On the other hand, with a proper ligand se-lection we can have a modified solubility, reactivity, and reaction efficiency. The structure and composition of this novel complex were approved by FT-IR, UV-Vis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and TGA/DTA. Investigating the antibacterial activity of the Cu complex suggests a significant antibacterial activity against standard species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.