Synthesis and Biological Study of Substituted 2”-Hydoxy, 2”,4”-dichloro Chalcones and Their Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) Complexes for Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials

2-methoxy-2-hydroxychalcone (2M2HC) and 4-methoxy-2,4-dichlorochalcone (4M24DC) and their metal complexes were synthesized, characterised and confirmed by melting point determination, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-Visible, 1H-NMR, EI-MS and AAS spectroscopic techniques. Elemental analysis was carried out and found in agreement with the calculated values. Metal(II) complexes, [M(L1-2)2], [where M = Ni(II), Cu(II), Co(II); L=2-methoxy-2-hydroxychalcone (2M2HC) and 4-methoxy-2,4-dichlorochalcone (4M24DC)] were subsequently prepared. The biological evaluation of the synthesized chalcone derivatives and the metal complexes were carried out. The chalcones and their metal complexes were screened for antioxidant (DPPH; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ABTS; 2,2-azino-bis(3-alkylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and antimicrobial activities. Overall, the ligands (chalcones) and their metal complexes demonstrated good to moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.