Synthesis, crystal structures, and antimicrobial activities of copper(II) complexes with bis-Schiff bases

Three newly synthesized copper(II) complexes with the general formula [CuL], where L is the dianionic form of N,N′-bis(3,5-difluorosalicylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine (H2L1) for 1, N,N′-bis(3,5-difluorosalicylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (H2L2) for 2, and N,N′-bis(3,5-difluorosalicylidene)-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine (H2L3) for 3, have been obtained and structurally characterized by spectroscopic method and single-crystal X-ray determination. The Cu atoms in the complexes are in square planar coordination, with the two imino N and two phenolate O atoms of the Schiff base ligands. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the compounds indicate that they are interesting antibacterial agents.