Abstract
Charge transfer complex (CTC) of donor, p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and acceptor, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid) has been studied in methanol at room temperature. The CT complex was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectra,
1H NMR spectroscopy and electronic absorption spectra which indicate the CT interaction associated with proton migration from the acceptor to the donor followed by hydrogen bonding via N
+–H⋯O
−. The thermal stability of CT complex was studied using TGA and DTA analyses techniques. The CT complex was screened for its antifungal activity against
Aspergillus niger (Laboratory isolate),
Candida albicans (IQA-109) and
Penicillium sp. (Laboratory isolate) and antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA 22) and
Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051) and two Gram-negative bacteria
Escherichia coli (K 12) and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2488). It gives good antimicrobial activity. The stoichiometry of the CT complex was found to be 1:1. The physical parameters of CT complex were evaluated by the Benesi–Hildebrand equation. On the basis of the studies, the structure of CT complex is [(PPDH)
+(PA)
−], and a general mechanism for its formation is proposed.