Integrated structural, vibrational, thermal, and optical characterization of a zinc-based organic–inorganic hybrid with DFT and molecular docking insights into its biological properties

Key Points

• The aim is to characterize a new zinc-based hybrid and explore its biological properties.
• Synthesis and structural characterization of quinolinium–zinc hybrid.
• Analysis using vibrational, thermal, and optical techniques.
• Assessment of antibacterial and antibiofilm activity.
• The zinc hybrid exhibits a stable H-bonded/π–π network.
• Demonstrates indirect band gap behavior supported by DFT analysis.
• Shows promising antibacterial and antibiofilm activity.