A novel water-soluble cationic zinc lysine coordination compound, [Zn[(C6H14N2O2)](2)Cl] Cl center dot 2H(2)O (1), has been designed and synthesized and its crystal structure determined. The aqueous solution of this coordination compound is not only transparent and stable at room temperature but it is also nearly neutral (pH similar to 7). It is worth noting that zinc oxide (ZnO) forms in situ upon dilution of a solution of the compound. The bioactivity of ZnO has been confirmed using an Alarma Blue assay. These unique properties allow the coordination compound to gently grow ZnO coating with excellent antibacterial benefits onto biomaterial surfaces in a facile and safe manner.