Synthesis and Characterization of Bioactive Transition Metal Complexes from Cardanol

Cardanol is the main component obtained by vacuum distillation of roasted cashew nut shell liquid(CNSL) and was used for the preparation of bioactive transition schiff base metal complexes with p-toluidine. This preparation involves (i)Conversion of cardanol into bis(3-pentadecenylphenol) methane (BPPM) using formaldehyde. (ii) bis(3-pentadecenylphenol) methane into di-α-formylmethoxy bis(3-pentadecenylphenyl)methane (DFMPM) on treatment with epichlorohydrin followed by the action of sodium periodate. (iii)DFMPM undergo condensationwith p-toluidine to form (1+2) Schiff base ligand and finally (iv) Schiff base complexes with transition metal salts. The ligand and complexes were characterized by UV-visible, IR, 1H NMR and elemental analysis, melting point, conductivity, metal ion intake and the antibacterial activity were studied. The results indicate that the complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) were bioactive and also used for the removal of such ions from water. The nanocrystalline nature of the complexes were confirmed by SEM studies.