Synthesis, crystal structure and bacteriostatic activity of ternary complexes of copper(II) with N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-DL-α-phenylalanine and 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline

Ternary complexes of copper(H) with N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-DL-alpha-phenylalanine (H(2)Sphe) and 2,2'-bipynidine or 1,10-phenanthroline, [Cu(Hsphe)(phen)](ClO4)center dot 3H(2)O (1), [Cu(Hsphe)(2,2'-bipy)](ClO4) (2), and [Cu (Hsphe)(2,2'-bipy)](NO3) (3) were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction method. The central Cu(II) ions in the three complexes are all five-coordinated in distorted square pyramidal geometry. The results of bacteriostatic test show that all three complexes exhibit activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis. In addition, complex 1 shows strong bacteriostatic activity against E. coli and S. typhi, and complex 3 shows activity against S. typhi.