Anion-paired cationic metallocene-containing compounds and polymers as antimicrobial agents

1. An anion-paired metallocene-containing compound, comprising:

a cationic metallocene moiety covalently connected to an organic functional group, wherein the cationic metallocene moiety comprises two cyclopentadienyl anions bound to a metal center in the oxidation state I; and

an anion paired to the cationic metallocene moiety, wherein the anion comprises an anionic antibiotic compound.

2. The anion-paired metallocene-containing compound of claim 1 , wherein the anionic antibiotic compound comprises a penicillin anion or related compound, a carbapenem anion or related compound, or a cephalosporin anion or related compound.

3. The anion-paired metallocene-containing compound of claim 1 , wherein the metal center comprises iron, cobalt, rhodium, or ruthenium.

4. The anion-paired metallocene-containing compound of claim 1 , wherein the organic functional group comprises a polymerizable group covalently bonded to the cationic metallocene moiety via an organic linker group.

5. The anion-paired metallocene-containing compound of claim 4 , wherein the polymerizable group comprises a vinyl group.

6. The anion-paired metallocene-containing compound of claim 4 , wherein the polymerizable group comprises an acrylic group, a methacrylic group, a styrenic group, an acrylamide group, or a norbornene group.

7. The anion-paired metallocene-containing compound of claim 4 , wherein the organic linker group comprises an alkyl group and an ester linkage.

8. The anion-paired metallocene-containing compound of claim 1 , wherein the organic functional group is attached to a polymer.