Synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of novel perfluoroalkyl-containing quaternary ammonium salts

A new series of perfluoroalkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compounds were prepared and examined for their antibacterial activities. The perfluoroalkyl-containing quaternary ammonium salts mainly exhibited excellent antibacterial activity for the Gram-positive strain such as Staphylococcus aureus, the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values was between 2.5 and 10 μg/mL and the MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration) values were 20 μg/mL. They all showed weak activity against the Gram-negative strain such as Escherichia coli, and against fungi such as Candida albicans, the MIC values and MBC values were about 100 μg/mL. Moreover, the relationship between their antimicrobial activities and structures were further discussed.