The study describes the synthesis, characterization and biological activity of a novel Schiff base ligand
and its transition metal complexes. The Schiff base ligand was obtained by a condensation reaction
between 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (p-vanillin) and hydrazine hydrate using ethanol as solvent.
A new series of Ni(II) and Fe(III) complexes were also derived by reaction of prepared Schiff base
ligand with NiCl2 and FeCl3. Both the ligand and its metal complexes were characterized by solubility,
melting point and elemental analysis. These compounds were further identified by analytical techniques,
FTIR, NMR and mass spectrometry. The ligand and its transition metal complexes were also subjected
to in vitro biological activities i.e. antimicrobial, antiangiogenic and DNA photo cleavage. For
antimicrobial activity compounds were tested against two strains of bacteria and two strains of fungi.
Different concentrations of prepared compounds were treated with fertilized chicken eggs and plasmid
DNA to find out antiangiogenic and DNA photocleavage activity, respectively.