Synthesis, structural studies, and antibacterial activity of zinc, copper, and silver complexes derived from N′-(1-(pyrazin-2-yl)ethylidene)isonicotinohydrazide

The multidentate Schiff-base ligand N′-(1-(pyrazin-2-yl)ethylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (HL) has been prepared. Reaction with zinc, copper, and silver nitrate afford three complexes, [Zn(HL′)2](NO3)2·3H2O (1), {[Cu2(L)2(NO3)(H2O)2]·NO3}n (2) and {[Ag2(L)2]·3H2O}n (3). These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, HL is a neutral tridentate ligand, whereas in 2 and 3, HL is a deprotonated tetradentate ligand. The hydrogen bonding interactions between NO3− and the host framework result in various supramolecular polymeric structures: a 2-D layer for 1 and 3-D network for 2 and 3. The antibacterial activities of these complexes have been investigated and the results indicate that 3 showed good antibacterial activities.