Antibacterial evaluation of some benzimidazole derivatives and their zinc(II) complexes

Zinc(II) chloride was reacted with some 1-benzylbenzimidazole derivatives (L) to give complexes of the formula ZnL2Cl2. All the ligands and their zinc(II) complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Sarcina lutea. Themajority of the investigated compounds displayed in vitro antimicrobial activity against very persistent microorganisms. It was found that all the tested compounds were more active against gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for all ligands and their complexes. The effect of the structure of the ligands and complexes on the antimicrobial activity is discussed. The complexes were found to be more toxic than the ligands.