Research Article

Azo Compounds Derived from Arsanilic Acid and Diketones: Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Activity, and the Effect of Divalent Copper and Nickel Metal Complexes

Abstract

In this study included synthesis of two azo ligands and their Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were achieved by diazotization – coupling method. DPPH radical scavenging and Agar well diffusion assays were performed to assess the biological activities. The synthesis was carried out with a high yield (72-78%) and purity. It was found that all complexes were non-electrolytic complexes. The results obtained indicate that distorted-square planar structures are proposed to occur for the Cu(II) complexes and distorted-octahedral structures for the Ni(II) complexes, although confirmation of this is needed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The complexes were found to be significantly more effective in free radical scavenging than free ligands with copper complexes being the most effective antioxidants. As far as antibacterial activity is concerned, the inhibition zones of the metal complexes, specially L1Cu and L2Cu, have been found to be comparatively higher for both the bacterial strains S. aureus and E. coli compared to the parent ligands. L2Cu showed the lowest IC50 value for DPPH as compared with other complexes, in addition it also possessed the maximum antibacterial activity though in DPPH assay L2Cu was less active than ascorbic acid. The metal complexes exhibited much greater inhibition zones than the free ligands under the tested conditions. 

Authors affiliation:

Noor A. Abdulrazzaq (ORCID): Directorate General of Education of Basrah, Ministry of Education, Basrah, Iraq.

How To Cite: N.A. Abdulrazzaq. Azo Compounds Derived from Arsanilic Acid and Diketones: Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Activity, and the Effect of Divalent Copper and Nickel Metal Complexes. Interdisciplinary Studies on Applied Science, 3(2):55–70, 2026. https://doi.org/10.58613/isas327