Polymeric phosphonium salts as a novel class of cationic biocides. VII. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of polymeric phosphonium salts and their model compounds containing long alkyl chains

Abstract

Abstract Various polymeric phosphonium salts containing long alkyl chains (C 10 C 18 ) and their corresponding model compounds were prepared, which possess the same hydrophobic structure as that of the common disinfectants (quaternary ammonium salts), and their antibacterial activities were evaluated by means of the viable cell counting method against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative). The polymer with the decyl group exhibited a higher activity than that of the corresponding model compound, particularly against the Gram‐positive strain. Furthermore, antibacterial activity of the polymers was found to decrease as the chain length increased. In contrast with the polymers, the antibacterial activity of the corresponding model compounds increased as hydrophobicity of the substituents increased. The antibacterial activity was strongly dependent on the structure, particularly on the length of the alkyl chain. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.