Binuclear Pd(II) complexes with multidentate Schiff base ligands: synthesis, catalysis, and antibacterial properties

Three new binuclear palladium(II) complexes with multidentate Schiff base ligands were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, UV–Vis, 1H-NMR, ESI–MS, and CHN analysis. The complexes were successfully applied as catalysts for hydration of nitriles to amides. Using one of the complexes, a wide range of aryl/heteroaryl nitriles were efficiently converted to corresponding amides in moderate-to-excellent yields with low catalyst loading (0.8 mol%). In addition, the complexes were also tested for antibacterial activity against two gram-positive and two gram-negative bacteria using Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. However, to our surprise, among the three complexes, only one complex showed growth inhibitory effect against gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, for which minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to be 30 µg cm−3.Graphical abstract