Mechano and Solvent-Based Syntheses, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Cefexime and Cefuroxime with their Pb(II) Complexes

Abstract

Pb(II) Complexes of cefixime and cefuroxime were synthesized using mechanochemical and solution-based techniques, and characterized by solubility, melting point, conductivity, infrared and UV/Visible spectroscopy alongside metal analysis. The complexes were obtained as either white or milky colored solids of high decomposition temperatures (250 – 322 °C) suggestive of their thermal stability. The ratio of metal to ligand in the complexes was determined as 1:1. The complexes were air stable and generally soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) but insoluble in n-hexane which indicates that the complexes were probably polar. Results from conductivity measurement for both methods gave low values (10.4 – 16. 2 Scm² mol^-1)which indicate that the complexes are non-electrolytes. It has been observed from the results of infrared study that coordination of the Pb(II) ion to the ligands occurred through oxygen atom of ν(C═O). The antibiotic drugs and their Pb(II) complexes have been screened for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities by using disc diffusion method. The results revealed that the complexes showed considerable antibacterial activities against the micro-organisms tested.