Synthesis, Spectral, Morphology, Thermal Degradation Kinetics and Antibacterial Studies of Terpolymer Metal Complexes

Terpolymer metal complexes involving transition metal ions such as Cu(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) were prepared using a terpolymer ligand derived from anthranilic acid–phenyl hydrazine–formaldehyde (APHF). The terpolymer ligand and its metal complexes were intended to spectral characterizations viz. FTIR, electronic, ESR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR to elucidate the structural confirmations. The number, weight, and size average molecular weights of the terpolymer ligand were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The empirical formula of the repeating unit for both the terpolymer ligand and its metal complexes was clearly justified by elemental analysis. The thermal stability of the ligand and its metal complexes was established by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). On basis of the TGA data, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as activation energy (E _a), order of reaction (n), entropy change (ΔS), apparent entropy (S*), frequency factor (Z) and free energy change (ΔF) were calculated using Freeman–Carroll and Sharp–Wentworth methods. Further the degradation mechanism for the thermal decomposition was also identified from Phadnis–Desphande method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to establish the surface morphology and nature of the terpolymer ligand and its metal complexes. In addition, the terpolymer ligand and its metal complexes were screened against the growth of few bacteria and their inhibitions were measured and reported.