Abstract

Three series of salphen derivatives were synthesised and underwent complexation with Cd(II) ion using microwave irradiation. The synthesised compounds were characterised using FT-IR, NMR, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. The FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies revealed the shifting of azomethine peaks, as well as the disappearance of hydroxyl functional groups in ligands upon complexation, suggesting the metal bonded with the ligands in a N₂O₂ coordination manner. The synthesised compounds were tested for antimicrobial activities against selected bacterial strains and the results showed moderate to good activity in Cd(II) complexes containing electron donating groups compared to their respective free ligands.