New Cu (II) and Co(II) octaazamacrocyclic complexes with 2-amino-3-phenyl-propanoic acid

New cationic Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes with N,N',N'',N'''-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (tpmc) and the anion of 2-amino-3-phenyl-propanoic acid (S-phenylalanine) were prepared. The complexes were analyzed and characterized by elemental analysis, conductometric, polarimetric, magnetic and cyclic voltammetric measurements, as well as by spectroscopic data (UV/Vis, IR). Both complexes are binuclear with the general formula [M2(S-Phe)tpmc](ClO4)3∙nH2O; S-PheH = S-phenylalanine, M(II) = Cu, n = 7; Co, n = 0. Based on previously reported data for some familiar complexes and the present results, pentacoordinated geometry was proposed. Both of the central metal ions are coordinated with two pyridyl and two cyclam nitrogens and bridged with -N-(CH2)3-N- portions of the cyclam ring and oxygen atoms of the S-phenylalaninate ion. Antimicrobial screening of the complexes, solvent, starting salts and ligands alone was performed against fungi, mould and some bacteria. In certain cases, enhanced activity of Co(II) complex towards bacteria compared with the relevant free ligands and starting salts was detected.