Synthesis and crystal structures of cobalt(III), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes derived from 4-methoxy-<i>N′</i>-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)benzohydrazide with urease inhibitory activity

Abstract

Urease catalyzes the decomposition of urea into ammonia, which has harmful effects on both human health and fertile soil. Aiming at exploring novel urease inhibitors, a series of hydrazone compounds and their CoIII, CuII, NiII, and ZnII complexes were prepared from 4-methoxy-N'-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)benzohydrazide (HL). They are [CoClL(NCS)] (1), [CoL2]·Cl·CH3OH·H2O (2), [CuL(NCNCN)]n·nCH3OH (3), [NiL(HL)]·ClO4·CH3OH (4) and [ZnClL(OH2)]·CH3OH (5). The compounds were characterized by physico-chemical methods. Structures of the complexes were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The metal ions in 1, 3, and 5 display square pyramidal coordination and 2 and 4 display octahedral coordination. The inhibitory effects of the compounds on Jack bean urease were evaluated. The results showed that 3 has effective urease inhibitory activity, with IC50 value of (7.3 ± 1.0) μmol L−1.