Abstract
1-Naphthylacetic acid (C10H7-CH2COOH; HL) is a synthetic commercial plant hormone widely used in agriculture as a plant growth regulator. Five complexes between metal and this hormone were synthesized and structurally characterized: [MnL2(H2O)(2)] (A), [CoL2(H2O)(2)] (B), [NiL2] (C), [CuL2(H2O)(2)] (D), and [ZnL2] x H2O (E). Next, IR, H-1 NMR, UV-Vis, thermogravimetry, magnetic moment, and elemental analyses were used to characterize the complexes, and their morphological properties were assessed using XRD and SEM techniques. These analyses indicated that two L- molecules were coordinated to the metal ion by their bidentate carboxylate groups. Finally, the complexes were screened in vitro against several microbes (bacteria and fungi) using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Complex C showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans with a potency that was 15% higher than the antifungal drug amphotericin B.