Acrylate copolymers containing benzimidazolium moieties: Synthesis and antimicrobial applications

Abstract

The allylic monomer N-allyl-N-butylbenzimidazolium bromide (ABBB) was synthesized by reacting allyl bromide with benzimidazole and subsequent quaternization with 1-bromobutane. Copolymers of ABBB with butyl acrylate (BA) were prepared in dimethyl formamide solution at 70°C using a free-radical polymerization technique with different monomer feed ratios. Monomer reactivity ratios for the ABBB-BA pairs were evaluated by the Fineman-Ross (r1 = 0.40; r2 = 1.49) and Kelen-Tüdõs (r1 = 0.36; r2 = 1.46) linearization methods. Thermal behavior of the copolymers of different compositions was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The copolymers were tested for antimicrobial properties against selected strains of bacteria and fungi and were found to be active against the strains. The growth-inhibitory effect of the copolymers varied according to the composition of the polymer: the effect increased with increasing content of the substituted benzimidazolium group in the polymer chain.