Synthesis, characterization, and structure-activity relationship of the antimicrobial activities of dinuclear N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-silver(I) complexes

A novel light-stable cage-like dinuclear N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex (Ag-1a) was prepared. A suspension of Ag-1a in water inhibited the growth of four bacteria, two yeasts, and two molds. A structure-activity relationship between the antimicrobial activities and central silver environments of the dinuclear silver(I) NHC complexes was observed.66