Synthesis, crystal structures, catalytic application and antibacterial activities of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes bearing salicylaldehyde-imine ligands

•Three Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes as well as two salicylaldehyde-imine ligands were synthesized and characterized.•The compounds were tested as catalyst in the decomposition reaction of H2O2.•The compounds were screened as antibacterial agents against three gram-negative bacteria and three gram-positive bacteria.