Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new Schiff base and its Cu(II) complex

Abstract

A new Schiff base ligand, N-hydroxy-N'-salicylidene-urea was synthesized through the condensation of salicylaldehyde with hydroxyurea. The copper(II) complex of the Schiff base has been also obtained. Their structure has been proven using spectral methods such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the copper(II) complex was evaluated through comparison to the activity of the Schiff base on various bacterial strains. All tested compounds were very active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.