Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Urease Inhibition of N’-(2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxybenzylidene)-4-Nitrobenzohydrazide and its Zinc(II) Complex

An aroylhydrazone compound N’-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-nitrobenzohydrazide (HL) was prepared. Reaction of the aroylhydrazone compound with zinc iodide afforded a dinuclear zinc(II) complex [Zn₂I₂L₂]∙2DMF. The aroylhydrazone compound and the zinc complex were characterized by CHN elemental analyses and infrared spectroscopy. Detailed structures are further confirmed by single crystal X-ray determination. The Zn atom in the complex is in square pyramidal coordination, with the phenolate O, imino N and carbonyl O atoms of one L ligand, and the phenolate O atom of the other L ligand in the basal plane, and with one I ligand at the apical position. The crystal structures of the aroylhydrazone and the zinc complex are stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The two compounds have been tested for their Jack bean urease activity. As a result, the zinc complex has effective activity with IC₅₀ value of 1.7 ± 0.3 μmol/L.