Nickel(II) complexes of m-ethylphenylxanthate with nitrogen donors and their biological screening

Abstract

A series of five adducts of m-ethylphenylxanthate of nickel(II) [(m-C₂H₅C₆H₄OCS₂)₂Ni] with nitrogen donors have been synthesized in 1:2 molar ratio by the reaction of aqueous solution of NiCl₂.6H₂O with aqueous solution of sodium salt of m-ethylphenylxanthate. These metal complexes are reacted with nitrogen donors to give donor stabilized complex, [(m-C₂H₅C₆H₄OCS₂)₂(L)₂Ni] where, L= 2-, 3-, 4-ethylpyridine and 2-, 3-chloropyridine. The adducts have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, electronic, mass spectral studies, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, biological studies. The spectral studies have revealed the octahedral coordination of ligands around Ni(II) metal ion. The adducts are found to be paramagnetic and non-ionic in nature. Mass studies show the monomeric nature of the adducts. The complexes have depicted potential antifungal activity against Bipolaris maydis and Rhizoctonia solani. Some of the synthesized Ni(II) xanthate complexes display in vitro cytotoxic efficacy against human cancer cell lines.