A novel series of mixed-ligand complexes of the type, [ML1(L2)3]Clx [M= Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II),Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), n = 2, 3], was synthesized using Schiff base (HL1) as main ligand, nicotinamide (L2) as secondary ligand, and the corresponding metal ions in 1:3:1 molar ratio. The main ligand, HL1 was prepared by the interaction of ampicillin drug and 4-chlorobenzophenone. The synthesized mixed ligand complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FT-IR,1H-NMR,13C-NMR and TG/DTG studies. In the mixed-ligand complexes, the Schiff base ligand, HL1 showed coordination to the central metal ion in tridentate manner via azomethine nitrogen, β-lactam ring oxygen and deprotonated carboxylic oxygen atoms, whereas the secondary ligand L2 (nicotinamide, Nam) coordinated through pyridine nitrogen atoms. The synthesized complexes exhibited significant antimicrobial activity when evaluated against P. pseudomonas, E. coli, S. aureus and B. subtilis microbes. The DFT calculations were also carried out to ascertain the bonding insights into the structure. In addition, molecular docking analysis was performed carried out to know the interactions between complexes and their probable binding sites in penicillin binding protein (PBP2). Moreover, drug-likeness and toxicity of the compounds were also performed to predict the suitability of the complexes as drugs.
