Unleashing the antibacterial potential of ZIFs and their derivatives: mechanistic insights

Antibiotic resistance presents an alarming threat to global health, with bacterial infections now ranking among the leading causes of mortality. To address this escalating challenge, strategies such as antibiotic stewardship, development of antimicrobial therapies, and exploration of alternative treatment modalities are imperative. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), acclaimed for their outstanding biocompatibility and in vivo biodegradability, are promising avenues for the synthesis of novel antibiotic agents under mild conditions. Among these, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a remarkable subclass of MOFs, have emerged as potent antibacterial materials; the efficacy of which stems from their porous structure, metal ion content, and tunable functionalized groups. This could be further enhanced by incorporating or encapsulating metal ions, such as Cu, Fe, Ti, Ag, and others. This perspective aims to underscore the potential of ZIFs as antibacterial agents and their underlying mechanisms including the release of metal ions, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disruption of bacterial cell walls, and synergistic interactions with other antibacterial agents. These attributes position ZIFs as promising candidates for advanced applications in combating bacterial infections. Furthermore, we propose a novel approach for synthesizing ZIFs and their derivatives, demonstrating exceptional antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. By highlighting the benefits of ZIFs and their derivatives as antibacterial agents, this perspective emphasizes their potential to address the critical challenge of antibiotic resistance.