Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and In Vitro Biocompatibility of New Unsaturated Carboxylate Complexes with 2,2′-Bipyridine

The synthesis, structural characterization, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial properties of four new complexes formed by employing acrylate anion and 2,2′-bipyridine are reported herein. X-ray crystallography revealed the trinuclear nature of [Mn3(2,2′-bipy)2(C3H3O2)6] (1), meanwhile complexes with general formula [M(2,2′-bipy)(C3H3O2)2(H2O)x]∙yH2O ((2) M: Ni, x = 1, y = 0; (3) M: Cu, x = 1, y = 0; (4) M: Zn, x = 0, y = 1; 2,2′-bipy: 2,2′-bipyridine; C3H3O2: acrylate anion) were shown to be mononuclear. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 128 μg mL−1 was recorded for all four tested complexes against Candida albicans, for complex (3) against Escherichia coli, and for complex (4) against Staphylocococcus aureus. Compounds (3) and (4) were also potent efflux pumps activity inhibitors (EPI), proving their potential for use in synergistic combinations with antibiotics. Complexes (1)–(4) revealed that they were not cytotoxic to HCT-8 cells. They also proved to interfere with the cellular cycle of tumour HCT-8 cells by increasing the number of cells found in the S and G2/M phases. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of zinc and copper complexes for use in the development of novel antimicrobial and anti-proliferative agents.