A new class of fluorinated or polyhalogenated triazapentadienes are disclosed. The synthesized triazapentadienes are thermally stable, soluble in typical solvents and have several metal binding sites for complexation with metal ions. The compounds are prepared as colorless crystalline solids. Synthesis takes advantage of a reaction with triethylamine. Synthesized triazapentadienes (with and without complexed metals) inhibit bacterial growth of both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria.