Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of 2-(5-H/Me/F/Cl/NO2-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-benzene-1,4-diols and some transition metal complexes

2-(5-H/Me/F/Cl/NO2-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-benzene-1,4-diols (HL (X) : X = 1-5) and HL1 complexes with Fe(NO3)(3), Co(NO3)(2), Ni(NO3)(2), Cu(NO3)(2), Zn(NO3)(2) salts have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of the complexes were confirmed on the basis of elemental analysis, TGA, molar conductivity and magnetic moment measurements, FT-IR, NMR, mass, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Metal:ligand ratio for the Ni(II) complex is 1:2, whereas 1:1 for the others. Antibacterial activity of the compounds was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis. Antifungal activities were reported for Candida albicans. All of the complexes have higher antifungal effect than the ligand, and Zn(II) complex is effective toward especially S. aureus and S. epidermidis (Gram+ bacteria) that the ligand has lower effect on them.