Employment of pyridyl oximes and dioximes in zinc(II) chemistry: Synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and biological evaluation

► The first Zn(II) complex of pyridine-2,6-diamidoxime is reported. ► Mononuclear compounds have been prepared and structurally characterized. ► Detailed spectroscopic and physicochemical characterization revealed the integrity of the complexes in DMSO solutions. ► The biological evaluation of [Zn(dapdoH2)2](NO3)2 showed the highest cytotoxic activity against LMS and MCF-7 cells. ► Flow cytometry analysis revealed that all four complexes cause apoptosis to LMS cells.