Durable and refreshable polymeric N-halamine biocides containing 3-(4 '-vinylbenzyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin

A novel vinyl-hydantoin monomer, 3-(4 ' -vinylbenzyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin , was synthesized in a good yield and was fully characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and H-1 NMR spectra. Its homopolymer and copolyme rs with several common acrylic and vinyl monomers, such as vinyl acetate, a crylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate, were readily prepared under mild con ditions. The polymers were characterized with FTIR and H-1 NMR, and their t hermal properties were analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry stud ies. The halogenated products of the corresponding copolymers exhibited pot ent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, and the antibacteria l properties were durable and regenerable. The structure-property relations hips of the polymers were further discussed. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, In c.