Synthesis, structures and urease inhibitory activity of cobalt(III) complexes with Schiff bases

[Display omitted] A series of new cobalt(III) complexes were prepared. They are [CoL1(py)3]·NO3 (1), [CoL2(bipy)(N3)]·CH3OH (2), [CoL3(HL3)(N3)]·NO3 (3), and [CoL4(MeOH)(N3)] (4), where L1, L2, L3 and L4 are the deprotonated form of N′-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene)-3-methylbenzohydrazide, N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3-hydroxylbenzohydrazide, 2-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]-4-methylphenol, and N,N′-bis(5-methylsalicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine, respectively, py is pyridine, and bipy is 2,2′-bipyridine. The complexes were characterized by infrared and UV–Vis spectra, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Co atoms in the complexes are in octahedral coordination. Complexes 1 and 4 show effective urease inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 4.27 and 0.35μmolL−1, respectively. Complex 2 has medium activity against urease, with IC50 value of 68.7μmolL−1. While complex 3 has no activity against urease. Molecular docking study of the complexes with Helicobacter pylori urease was performed.