A Novel Bifunctional Zn(Ii) Coordination Compound for Efficient Detection of Triethylamine and Antibacterial Property

Abstract

A new binuclear Zn(II) compound  [H2bim]2[Zn2(bim)2(SCN)6] 1 (Hbim = benzimidazole) was directly synthesized at room temperature. X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis showed that compound 1 is extended into a 3D supermolecule network via π...π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions. Information on non-covalent interactions were gathered by calculating the Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint of the crystal stacking of compound 1. Photoluminescence experiments demonstrated that compound 1 not only possessed good solid-state fluorescence performance but also favorable fluorescence characteristics and stability in aqueous solutions. Notably, compound 1 exhibited excellent anti-interference properties, high sensitivity, high fluorescence enhancement, and low limit of detection (LOD: 59.8 μM) against triethylamine (TEA) in aqueous medium via the “Turn-On” effect. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of the compound were investigated. The results of antimicrobial experiments revealed that compound 1 inhibited Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Molecular docking analysis unraveled the mode of interaction with DNA in bacteria. Compound 1 is a potential multifunctional material for the preparation of TEA sensors and antimicrobial agents. Finally, the possible enhancing mechanism and potential antimicrobial mechanism were researched.

Keywords: Fluorescence, Coordination compounds, Triethylamine, antibacterial, Molecular docking.