Complexes of Co(iii) (1), Ni(ii) (2), Cu(ii) (3), and Zn(ii) (4) derived from an N-(4-fluorobenzyl) N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl) dithiocarbamate ligand. Complex 3 showed maximum reduction in clonidine-induced catalepsy after 180 minutes of treatment.

Four complexes having the formula [Zn(L)₂] [L1 = (C₁₈H₂₀NS₂^–), N-(4-isopropyl-benzyl)-(benzyl)-dithiocarbamate], [L2 = (C₁₀H₁₂NS₂^–), N-(benzyl)-(ethyl)-dithiocarbamate], [L3 = (C₁₉H₂₂ONS₂^–), N-(4-isopropyl-benzyl)-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-dithiocarbamate], and [L4 = (C₁₆H₁₆NS₂^–), N-(benzyl)-(4-methyl-benzyl)-dithiocarbamate] have been contemplated, synthesized, and characterized by elemental analysis and IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and UV–visible absorption spectra. All Zn(II) complexes have similar geometry and coordination number. Complex A2 (with ligand L2) crystallizes in triclinic system with space group P-1 having distorted square pyramidal geometry which was stabilized by weak C–H···π and C–H···S intramolecular interactions. The antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antitumor activities of the complexes have been screened and A2 and A3 showed their prominence. Interestingly, both A2 and A3 showed more killing potential against multi-drug resistant gram-positive isolates with MIC indices of 16 μg mL⁻¹ and 16 μg mL⁻¹, respectively, against both MRSA and MSSA, while the antitumor agent A3 showed its prominence with GI₅₀ and LC₅₀ 41.15 and 133.73 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. Graphical Abstract

Five new metal complexes of Fe(ii) (1), Co(ii) (2), Ni(ii) (3), Cu(ii) (4), and Zn(ii) (5), derived from an N-cyclohexyl N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl) dithiocarbamate ligand as anticancer drug. Complex 5 showed more potential antiproliferative activity.