[Au(pyb-H)(mnt)]: A novel gold(III) 1,2-dithiolene cyclometalated complex with antimicrobial activity (pyb-H = C-deprotonated 2-benzylpyridine; mnt = 1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolate)

The 1,2-dithiolene cyclometalated complex [AuIII(pyb-H)(mnt)] (pyb-H = C-deprotonated 2-benzylpyridine; mnt = 1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolate) was tested against ten Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and three yeasts, showing a remarkable bacteriostatic antimicrobial activity against Staphylococci. Spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements, and theoretical calculations, were exploited to investigate the electronic structure of the complex.173