Investigation of the antimicrobial properties of N,N-bis(benzylidene)-o-phenylenediamine zinc acetate complex

Abstract

Schiff bases and their transition metal complexes represent a class of compounds of significant biological and industrial importance. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial, anticorrosion, and anti-wear properties of the N,N-Bis(benzylidene)-o-phenylenediamine ligand—synthesized from benzaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine—along with its zinc-acetate complex in cutting fluids, fuels, and lubricating oils. The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by IR spectroscopy, revealing characteristic absorption bands for the azomethine C=N group at 1620 cm⁻¹ for the ligand and 1663 cm⁻¹ for the zinc-acetate complex. The antimicrobial and fungicidal activities of the compounds were evaluated using the well-diffusion method in accordance with GOST 9.052-88 and GOST 9.023-74 standards against Mycobacterium phlei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, and Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium resinae fungi. The results demonstrated that the zinc-acetate complex at a concentration of 0.5% exhibits high fungicidal activity against Cladosporium resinae in cutting fluids and gasoline, with inhibition zones of 2.2–2.2 cm and 3.8–3.9 cm.