Urease inhibitory activities of ZnBr2 and ZnI2 complexes of terpyridine derivatives: Systematic investigation of aryl substituents on urease inhibitory activities

With the aim of discovering novel urease inhibitors, six new mononuclear complexes of five-coordinated Zn(II) bromide and iodide with terpyridine derivatives have been synthesized and their solid state structures were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Among these complexes, the zinc complexes bearing an electron withdrawing aryl group at the 4′-position show medium urease inhibitory activities, with IC50 values much lower than those of previously reported zinc species, at concentrations lower than 100 mM.

Graphical abstractTo explore novel urease inhibitors, six new complexes of Zn(II) with terpyridine derivatives have been prepared and structurally characterized. Among these complexes, electron withdrawing substituted complexes show stronger urease inhibition.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 4′-Substituted terpyridine derivatives were synthesized by simple procedures. ► Zinc bromide and zinc iodide complexes of the ligands were prepared and carefully characterized. ► Urease inhibitory activity of the free ligands as well as the zinc complexes was evaluated.