Synthesis, structures and antibacterial activities of benzoylthiourea derivatives and their complexes with cobalt

► Four new thiocarbonyl fluorobenzamides and their complexes with cobalt have been synthesized and characterized. ► Five new crystal have been obtained and their structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction. ► The experiments showed that both ligands and the complexes had the antibacterial activity against the assayed bacteria. ► The para‐substitution of fluorine atom increased antibacterial activities. ► The thioylbenzamides linked to piperidine instead of a morpholine group may increase the antibacterial activity.