Novel zinc(II)/chitosan-based composite: ultrasound-assisted synthesis, catalytic and antibacterial activity

Ultrasonic treatment of the reaction between chitosan and aromatic aldehyde, 4-formyl-3-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-1,2-dimethylpyridin-1-ium iodide, resulted in its significant acceleration and increase in degree of derivatization. The CH=N bond of the prepared Schiff base was reduced, and the formed polymeric material was converted into the corresponding zinc(ii) composite by treatment with ZnCl2 and NaOH. The obtained composite is non-toxic, possesses high antibacterial activity and can be employed as the catalyst in the Mannich reaction between benzaldehyde, phenylacetylene and piperidine.