Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of a Zinc Complex Based on 2,2'-Dipyridyl and 1,2-Cyclopentanedicarboxylic Acid

In this paper, a new complex [Zn(1,2-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid)(2,2'-dipyridyl)] (complex 1) was synthesized by solvothermal reaction of 1,2-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (CPCA) as the main ligand and zinc nitrate as the metal salt with 2,2'-dipyridyl (2,2'-bipy) as the auxiliary ligand. Subsequently, complex 1 was characterized by crystallographic analysis, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectrum techniques. The antibacterial activity was then evaluated by measuring the growth inhibition and testing the zone of inhibition. The antibacterial experiments showed that complex 1 had high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in vitro. In addition, the antibacterial mechanism of complex 1 might be related to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bacteria.