Synthesis and antimicrobial characteristics of novel biocides, 4,4'- (1,6-hexamethylenedioxydicarbonyl)bis(1-alkylpyridinium iodide)s

Abstract

Potent new biocides against both bacteria and fungi, 4,4'-(1,6- hexamethylenedioxydicarbonyl)bis(1-alkylpyridinium iodide)s (4DOCBP-6,n) (alkyl chain length, n=8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18) were synthesized. 4DOCBP- 6,n is a bis-quaternary ammonium compound (bis-QAC) and has a symmetrical dimeric structure which is composed of two alkylpyridinium iodides connected with a hexamethylenedioxydicarbonyl chain. 4DOCBP-6,10 and 4DOCBP-6,12 exhibited wide and effective antimicrobial spectra, compared with those of typical bactericides, N-dodecylpyridinium iodides (P-12) and benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (BAC), or a popularly-used fungicide, 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole (TBZ). Their superior properties would be due to the unique dimeric structure which contains two active moieties in a molecule.