Abstract

A Schiff base ligand have been prepared by reacting indole-3-carboxaldehyde and L-phenylalanine in 1:1 molar ratio and characterized by spectral studies. The representative Schiff base metal complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, electronic spectra, magnetic moment, and molar conductance. The analytical data confirms the stoichiometric ratio in the complexes. The IR results show that the ligand acts as a bidentate donor coordinating through the azomethine nitrogen and carboxyalto oxygen atoms. The conductance data reveal that the complexes are non-electrolytic in nature. Geometrical structures of the metal complexes were confirmed by the electronic spectra and magnetic moment measurements. The compounds were screened for their antibacterial, antifungal and DNA cleavage activities. The Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes show effective DNA cleavage than other complexes. The anticancer activities of the complexes have been carried out towards HeLa and HCT116 cancer cells.