Schiff Based Silatranyl Compounds Exhibiting ‘Fe3+ and Mn2+ Fluorescence Dual Ion Sensing and Antibacterial Activity’

The synthesis of different Schiff base substituted silatranes (1c–4c) was carried out from the corresponding organotrimethoxysilanes (OTMS) (1b–4b) under anhydrous atmospheric conditions. The title compounds were scanned by spectroscopic analytical studies like NMR (1H, 13C) and IR which confirm their formation. The fluorescence studies performed indicate that two of the silatranes (1c and 4c) can act as ‘dual–ion fluorescent sensors’ selectively for Mn2+ and Fe3+ cations. The structural arrangement of these silatranes allowed the metals to bind and form five/six membered stable ring which is not possible in non-active silatranes (2c and 3c). Antibacterial studies of silatranes were also performed which produced much better results than already reported cefepime.