Facile synthesis and promising antibacterial properties of a new guaiacol-based polymer

A new acrylamide-type monomer (N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzyl)-acrylamide) derived from guaiacol was successfully synthesized. Polymers containing guaiacol moiety were obtained via conventional radical polymerization of this monomer with AIBN as initiator. The influence of reaction time, initiator concentration and temperature on polymers characteristics was studied. Evaluation of the termination mode in free-radical polymerization was performed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Termination occurs mainly by disproportionation reaction. Additional peaks in the spectrum were attributed to side chain reactions implying phenoxy radicals. This new polymer exhibits a potential antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis by using anti-adhesion and anti-biofilm tests. After an adhesion time of 3 h, compared to a non-coated glass slide, there was a decrease of bacteria of 99% on the polymer coated glass slide. After three days of culture in a bacterial suspension, no biofilm was observed on the polymer coated surface.