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

Potent new biocides against both bacteria and fungi, 4,4'-( 1,6-hexamethyle nedioxydicarbonyl) bis( 1 alkylpyridinium iodide)s (4DOCBP-6,n) (alkyl chai n 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 stru cture which is composed of two alklpyridinium iodides connected with a hexa methylenedioxydicarbonyl chain. 4DOCBP-6,10 and 4DOCBP-6,12 exhibited wide and effective antimicrobial spectra, compared with those of typical bacteri cides, N-dodecylpyridinium iodides (P-12) and benzyldimethldodecylammonium chloride (BAC), or a popularly-used fungicide, 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole (TBZ). Their superior properties would be due to the unique dimeric struct ure which contains two active moieties in a molecule.