Two Zn(II)-organic frameworks: catalytic Knoevenagel condensation and treatment activity on spine surgery incision infection via inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus biofilms formation

By utilizing the mixed-ligand method, two novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on Zn(II) ions as nodes with the chemical formulae of {[Zn2.5(abta)(trz)2(H2O)]·3H2O}n (1, Htrz = 1H-1,2,4-triazole) and [Zn3(abta)2(bibb)2]n (2, bibb = 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)-2-butene) were produced via Zn(NO3)2·6H2O reacting with the 1-aminobenzene-3,4,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3abta) in the existence of distinct nitrogen-donor co-ligands. The different N-donor ligands result in their distinct framework structures, and the compound 1 with higher solvent accessible void and large window size shows highly heterogeneous catalytic activities for Knoevenagel condensation. The treatment of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms formation during spine surgery incision infection and the related mechanism was explored at the same time. First of all, the S. aureus bacterial numbers in the infectious site was measured under compound 1 or 2 treatment. In addition to this, the relative expression levels of the genes related with S. aureus biofilms was determined with real time RT-PCR.