Antimicrobial activity of Mixed Ligand Transition Metal Complexes: A Review

Abstract

Heteroleptic, or mixed-ligand complexes are coordination compounds in which a central metal ion is bound to two or more chemically distinct ligands, and this diversity of coordination creates a synergistic environment that enhances the properties of the complexes. By combining ligands of different electronic and structural natures, these complexes exhibit improved electronic characteristics, greater catalytic efficiency and heightened biological activity compared to simpler homoleptic systems. Their versatility makes them valuable across disciplines such as in medicinal chemistry, they display a wide spectrum of antimicrobial effects, including antibacterial, antitubercular, antimalarial, and antifungal activity. This ability to fine-tune the behavior of a metal center through ligand diversity positions heteroleptic complexes as powerful tools for both fundamental research and practical applications in medicine, industry, and environmental science