Synthesis, Thermal Behavior, Metal Selectivity, and Antimicrobial Activities of Nitrobenzyl–Pyridyl Ethers and Silver Complexes

ABSTRACT

In this study, new nitro‐benzyl pyridyl ether ligands ( 1–3 ) were synthesized from the reaction of 2‐hydroxy‐3‐nitro‐5‐methyl pyridine and nitrobenzyl bromide compounds. New silver complexes ( 1Ag–3Ag ) of these ligands ( 1–3 ) were obtained. The structures of all synthesized ligands ( 1–3 ) and complexes ( 1Ag–3Ag ) were elucidated using spectroscopic methods (FTIR, HRMS, ¹ H‐NMR, and ¹³ C‐NMR). Thermal characterization of all synthesized compounds was also performed by TGA–DTA methods and the results obtained were evaluated according to the positions of nitro groups. In addition, the metal selectivity of the ligands was investigated spectrophotometrically in EtOH solution of some alkali (Na ⁺ , K ⁺ ), alkaline earth (Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ ), and transition metal (Cr ³⁺ , Fe ³⁺ , Ni ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ , and Ag ⁺ ) salts. According to the results obtained, spectrophotometric titration studies were carried out with the selected metal (Fe ³⁺ and Cu ²⁺ ) salts. Finally, the compounds antimicrobial effects against 1 Gram (‐) ( Klebsiella pneumoniae ) and 1 Gram (+) ( Enterococcus gallinarum ) food‐borne pathogens were investigated.