Antibacterial study on nickel and copper dicarboxylate complexes

Series of nickel and copper complexes with dicarboxylic acids (2,2 '-thiodiacetic acid, 3,3 '-thiodipropionic acid, 3,3 '-dithiodipropionic acid, and fumaric acid) and N-donor ligands (1,2-diaminopropane, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,10-phenanthroline and N,N,N ',N '',N ''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These coordination compounds were tested for their antibacterial activities in vitro. The complexes demonstrated moderated antibacterial ac-tivity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and could potentially be applied to treat skin wounds.