Inner metal complexes of tetradentate Schiff base: Synthesis, characterization, biological activity and molecular docking studies

A novel Schiff base ligand, namely 2,2′‐((1E,1′E)‐(1,3‐phenylenebis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))diphenol (H₂L), was synthesized by condensation of m‐phenylenediamine and 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (in 1:2 ratio). Series of complexes were obtained from the reaction of La(III), Er(III) and Yb(III) chlorides with H₂L. The ligand and complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared, ¹H NMR, UV–visible and mass spectroscopies, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements and thermal analysis. Infrared and ¹H NMR spectra indicated the coordination of the azomethine nitrogens and deprotonated phenolic oxygen atoms in a tetradentate manner (ONNO). The thermal behaviour of the complexes was studied from ambient temperature to 1000°C. The complexes were found to have water molecules of hydration and coordinated water molecules