Characterization and toxicity of lanthanide complexes with nitrogen- and sulphur-containing Schiff bases

La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Gd(III), Dy(III), Ho(III) and Er(III) complexes of Schiff bases derived from sulphamethoxazole and salicylaldehyde (I), and thiophene-2-aldehyde (II) have been characterized on the basis of IR, NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, conductance measurements and molecular weight determinations. The Schiff bases act as monobasic bidentate ligands, rendering the metal eight-coordinated. The equilibrium constants have been studied in solution at 25, 30 and 35 °C. The nephelauxetic effect (1 - β), bonding parameter (β), b^1/2 and Sinha covalency parameter (δ) have been calculated. The positive values indicate the covalent nature of the metal-ligand bond. The covalent nature of the complexes is also supported by molar conductance measurements. The toxicities of the Schiff bases and their complexes were evaluated against insects. The LD₅₀ value for cockroaches and percent growth inhibition of the fungi show greater efficacy for the complexes than the Schiff bases.