Synthesis, characterization, and microbiological evaluation of new triazolopyrimidine-based ferrocenes as potent antimicrobial prospects

Antimicrobial metallodrugs have gained considerable attention for their potent inhibitory activity and clinical success, driving the development of novel metallodrug candidates. These efforts have uncovered new bioactive scaffolds and mechanisms of action. However, the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), fueled by the genetic adaptability of microbes and resistance to nearly all antibiotic classes, highlights the urgent need for innovative antibiotics. In this study, we expand the repertoire of metallodrugs by designing, synthesizing, and biologically evaluating triazolopyrimidine-based ferrocenes as antimicrobial agents. These compounds demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against both bacterial and fungal pathogens. Advanced characterization techniques, including NMR, HRMS, FE-SEM, and SCXRD, confirmed their structural integrity and properties. Notably, the ferrocenes exhibited potent antifungal activity against Candida species, comparable to fluconazole, and were effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Our findings reveal a new class of metallodrugs with significant antimicrobial potential, offering promising avenues to combat AMR in future.