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] (), meanwhile complexes with general formula [M(2,2'-bipy)(C₃H₃O₂)₂(H₂O)]∙H₂O (() M: Ni, = 1, = 0; () M: Cu, = 1, = 0; () M: Zn, = 0, = 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 was recorded for all four tested complexes against , for complex () against , and for complex () against . Compounds () and () were also potent efflux pumps activity inhibitors (EPI), proving their potential for use in synergistic combinations with antibiotics. Complexes ()-() 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.