From synthesis to bioactivity: Characterization, crystallography, antimalarial and antimicrobial activities of hydrazone-derived organotin(IV) complexes

A series of pentacoordinated organotin(IV) complexes [R2SnL1-4] were synthesized through the reaction of 2-acetyl/2-benzoyl-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione and 4-methyl/4-methoxybenzohydrazides with R2SnCl2. Single crystal of representative complex [Me2SnL3] (13) confirmed the distorted square pyramidal geometry of the complexes. Compound 20 [Ph2SnL4] was the most active in both the antimalarial and antimicrobial activities and was docked against three biological targets: fungus C. albicans (PDB ID: 5TZ1), bacterium S. aureus (PDB ID: 2W9S) and malaria parasite P. falciparum (PDB ID:1U5A). [Display omitted] •Hydrazone-derived pentacoordinated organotin(IV) complexes were synthesized and characterized.•Complex 13 [Me2SnL3] revealed distorted square pyramidal geometry.•Complexation enhances both the antimalarial and antimicrobial activity.•In silico studies exhibited potent interactions and favorable ADMET scores. In the pursuit of therapeutic agents against malarial and microbial infections, a series of pentacoordinated organotin(IV) complexes [R2SnL1-4] were synthesized through the reaction of 2-acetyl/2-benzoyl-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione and 4-methyl/4-methoxybenzohydrazides with R2SnCl2 (R = Me, Et, n-Bu, Ph). The compounds underwent comprehensive characterization through a diverse range of spectral and physicochemical methods, encompassing (1H, 13C, 119Sn) NMR, FT-IR, HRMS, UV–vis, TGA and molar conductance. To further validate the structural details of the synthesized complexes, SC-XRD analysis was carried out on representative complex 13 [Me2SnL3], which revealed a monoclinic crystal system with space group P21/c (No. 14) and exhibiting a distorted square pyramidal geometry surrounding the tin metal center, wherein two enolic oxygen atoms occupy axial positions and equatorial positions are occupied by azomethine nitrogen atom along with two methyl carbon atoms. The antimalarial efficacy of the compounds was screened against P. falciparum, the most virulent species responsible for widespread malaria-related morbidity and mortality. The organotin(IV) complexes demonstrated superior inhibition, particularly phenyltin(IV) complexes exhibited highest inhibition, with some complexes achieving IC50 values comparable to standard drug. Notably, compounds 16 [Ph2SnL3], 19 [Bu2SnL4] and 20 [Ph2SnL4] emerged as the most active with IC50 values ranging from 0.33 to 0.36 μg/mL. Furthermore, varying levels of effectiveness were observed against all microbial pathogens. The com