Molecular Weight Dependence of Antibacterial Activity in Cationic Disinfectants

Abstract

New oligomers of in-chain quaternary ammonium salts as well as polymers were examined for antibacterial activity with special attention to the effect of their molecular weights. Two sets of homologs with different spacer structures were prepared: one with a rigid p-xylylene spacer and the other with a flexible hexamethylene spacer. It was found that the activity depends strongly on the molecular weight and that both bacteriostatic and bacteri cidal activity increase in the order of monomer — dimer < trimer < tetramer < polymer.