Development of antimicrobial aminoacid-modified bisphenol-A formaldehyde resin and its transition-metal complexes

A polymeric ligand (BFG), containing glycine moiety was synthesized by the polycondensation reaction of bisphenol-A and formaldehyde with amino acid (glycine) in alkaline medium. The polymer–metal complexes were synthesized with transition metal ions. The polymer and its metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and other spectroscopic techniques. The analytical data revealed that the coordination polymers of Cr(III), Co(II), and Ni(II) were coordinated with two water molecules, which are further supported by FTIR spectra and TGA data. The amino acid was found to act as bidentate ligand toward metal ions via the nitrogen of the NH group and carboxyl oxygen of the respective amino acid. The in-vitro preliminary antimicrobial activities of all the synthesized polymers were investigated against some bacteria and fungi. The polymer–metal complexes showed excellent antimicrobial activities against both types of microorganisms. Interestingly the polymeric ligand was found antimicrobial in nature but less effective as compared the polymer–metal complexes. On the basis of the antimicrobial behavior, these polymers hold potential in their application as antifungal and antifouling coating materials in medical devices as well as antimicrobial packaging material.