Synthesis and Anti-Candida Activity of Cobalt(II) Complexes of Benzene-1,2-Dioxyacetic Acid (bdoaH(2)). X-Ray Crystal Structures of [Co(bdoa)(H(2)O)(3)] ⋅3.5H(2)O and {[CO(phen)(3)](bdoa)}(2)⋅24H(2)O (phen = 1,10-Phenanthroline)

Co(CH(3)CO(2))(2)⋅4H(2)O reacts with benzene-1,2-dioxyacetic acid (bdoaH(2)) to give the Co(2+) complexes [Co(bdoa)(H(2)O)(3)]⋅H(2)O (1a) and [Co(bdoa)(H(2)O)(3)] ⋅3.5H(2)O (1b). Subsequent reaction of 1a with 1,10- phenanthroline produces [CO(phen)(3)] bdoa⋅10H(2)O (2a) and {[CO(phen)(3)](bdoa)}(2)⋅24H(2)O (2b). Molecular structures of 1b and 2b were determined crystallographically. In 1b the bdoa(2-)- ligates the metal by two carboxylate oxygens and two ethereal oxygens, whereas in 2b the bdoa(2-) is uncoordinated. The Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) complexes [Mn(bdoa)(phen)(2)]⋅H(2)O (3) and [Cu(pdoa)(imid)(2)] (4) were also synthesised, 1a-4 and other metal complexes of bdoa H(2) (metal = Mn(2+), Co(2+) ,Cu(2+), Cu(+) ) were screened for their ability to inhibit the growth ofhe yeast Candida albicans. Complexes incorporating the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand were the most active.