Studies on the antimicrobial activity of Co₄ (μ₃-O)₄ (μ-O₂C. C₆H₄-4-Cl)₄ (4-Me-Py)₄: tetrakis (μ₃-oxo) tetrakis (μ-4-chlorobenzoato-O) tetrakis (4-methylpyridine) cobalt (III)

Olive-green oxo-bridged Co (III) complex tetrakis[(μ₃-oxo) (μ-4-chlorobenzoato-O) (4-methylpyridine) cobalt(III)] having the formula Co₄ (μ₃-O)₄ (μ-O₂C.C₆H₄-4-Cl)₄ (4-Me-py)₄ is synthesized by modification of a reported synthetic method. The synthetic method involves hydrogen peroxide oxidation of a mixture of Co (II), 4-chlorobenzoic acid and 4-methylpyridine in a 1:2:1 molar ratio in methanol. Spectral studies suggest the presence of a distorted cubane-like core of [Co₃ (μ₃ -O)₄]³⁺ in the complex. The complex is found to exhibit inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli in a dose dependent manner.