Ligand-controlled self-assembly of Ag(I) complexes with cyano-containing ligands and their tunable antimicrobial activities

Five new Ag(I) compounds were isolated by varying the size and shape of the cyano-containing ligands and their distinct structures suggest the ligand-controlled self-assembly processes. All complexes demonstrate effective antimicrobial activities with low MICs and broad spectra. Especially, they illustrate encouraging antibacterial activities against antibiotic resistant bacteria (P. aeruginosa). The discriminating antibacterial activities are depended on the releasing capacities of Ag+ ions and the ligand exchangeability of these complexes.