Two new Zn(II)/Cu(II) compounds: photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties, and protective activity on Parkinson disease

Abstract Two coordination polymers, that is [Zn(pdc)(im)(H2O)]n (1) and [Cu(pdc)(im)2]n·n(H2pdc) (2) (H2pdc = terephthalic acid, im = imidazole), were hydrothermally synthesized via the reactions of H2pdc and im in combination with Zn(II) or Cu(II) ions. Compound 1 shows intense blue luminescence and compound 2 shows good photocatalytic activity for the methyl violet degradation under the irradiation of ultraviolet light. In addition, the assessment of the two compounds’ application values against Parkinson's disease (PD) were carried out and their specific mechanism was tested simultaneously. First of all, the real time RT-PCR was implemented and the relative expression levels of NMDA receptor on neurons were measured. Besides, the Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis assay was utilized for the assessment of the influence of the compounds on the dopaminergic neuron death rate.