Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial and Antispermatogenic Activity of Bismuth(III) and Arsenic(III) Derivatives of Biologically Potent Nitrogen and Sulfur Donor Ligands

A series of Bi(III) and As(III) complexes with two N∩S donor ligands, 1-(4-chloro-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-methylene)-thiosemicarbazide (L1H) and N′-[1-(2-oxo-2H-chrome-3yl-ethylidene]-hydrazinecarbodithionic acid benzyl ester (L2H) have been synthesized by the reaction of BiCl3 and Ph3As with ligands in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 molar ratios. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, melting point determinations, and a combination of electronic, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques, and X-ray diffraction for structure elucidation. In order to evaluate the effect of metal ions upon chelation, both the ligands and their complexes have been screened for their antimicrobial activity against the various pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. The metal complexes have shown to be more antimicrobial against the microbial species as compared to free ligands. Both the ligands and their corresponding metal complexes have been tested for their antifertility activity in male albino rats. The marked reduction in sperm motility and density resulted in infertility. Significant alterations were found in biochemical parameters of reproductive organs in treated animals as compared to control group. It is concluded that all these effects may finally impair the fertility of male rats.