Synthesis, crystallographic, spectroscopic studies and biological activity of new cobalt(II) complexes with bioactive mixed sulindac and nitrogen-donor ligands

Four novel complexes [Co(H(2)O)(4)(sul)(2)] 1, [Co(2-ampy)(2)(sul)(2)] 2, [Co(H(2)O)(2)(1,10-phen) (sul)(2)] 3 and [Co(2,9-dimephen)(sul)(2)] 4 (sul = sulindac, 2-ampy = 2-amino pyridine, 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,9-dimeph = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) were prepared and characterized by IR, UV–Visible spectroscopy and magnetic properties. The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In-vitro anti-bacterial activity for the prepared complexes against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Bordetella, Escherichia coli) bacteria and Yeast species (Saccharomyces and Candida) were performed using agar well-diffusion method. Only complex 4 showed reasonable activity against yeast. All compounds showed more anti-bacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative. [Figure: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13065-017-0268-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.