Ag(I) and Zn(II) isonicotinate complexes: Design, characterization, antimicrobial effect and CT–DNA binding studies

<div><p></p><p>Trinuclear Ag(I) (<b>1</b>) and dinuclear and mononuclear Zn(II) isonicotinate (<b>2</b> and <b>3</b>) complexes were prepared and characterized by X–ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Single crystal analysis of the Ag(I) complex reveals two different monodentate carboxylate coordination modes, protonated and deprotonated, respectively. IR spectra showed correlations between isonicotinate coordination modes and <i>Δ</i>(<i>ν</i>_as–<i>ν</i>_s)_IR values. In addition, the hydrogen bonds significantly influence a position of carboxylate absorption bands. Moreover, IC₅₀ and MIC data for bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi were determined and the binding of Ag(I) and Zn(II) complexes to calf thymus DNA was investigated using electronic absorption, fluorescence and CD measurements. Biological tests showed that the Ag(I) complex is more active than commercially used Ag(I) sulfadiazine against <i>E. Coli</i>. The fluorescence spectral results indicate that the complexes can bind to DNA through an intercalative mode. The Stern–Volmer quenching constants for investigated complexes obtained from the linear quenching plot are in the range of 1.67 × 10⁴ to 3.42 × 10⁴ M^–1.</p></div