Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of [Zn(formato)2(4,4′-bipy)] complex

Abstract Zn-based MOFs, [Zn(formato)2(4,4′-bipy)] (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) (1), had been successfully synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), single crystal X-ray analysis and Single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Then, the antimicrobial activities of complex 1 against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were evaluated by measuring growth inhibition curves and the zones of inhibition. The experimental data showed that 1 exhibited superior antibacterial activities in comparison with the zinc ion and the formic acid ligand as well as the 4,4′-bipy ligand, and the mechanism of action might be associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).