The antibacterial effects of substances structurally resembling maleimide

Abstract
Certain unsaturated cyclic imides have strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The corresponding unsaturated dicarboxylic acids are inactive in this respect. Earlier conclusions as to the antibiotic activity of quinones were confirmed, and it has been shown that addition of sulfhydryl compounds to the quinone destroys the activity. Increasing pH somewhat decreases the activity of the quinones.