Group 6 photo-activable carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (PhotoCORMs) with 1’10-phenanthroline based ligand as potential anti-proliferative and anti-microbial agents

•A new series of UV activable photoCORMs were synthesized.•Compounds 2, 3, and 4 displayed distorted octahedral geometry.•The myoglobin assay was used to determine the half-life of compounds with 2 having the shortest half-life (7.1 s) at 60 µM.•Significant photo-induced cytotoxicity and selectivity were observed in photoCORMs 2, 3, and 4.•Slight photo-induced bactericidal and growth inhibition activities were observed in 2, 3, and 4.