Relationship of Bactericidal Potency to Length of Fatty Acid Radical of Certain Quaternary Ammonium Derivatives

Abstract

Summary

(1) A number of homologs of quaternary ammonium derivatives were prepared of the series (see formula below) varying the carbon chain in the fatty acid radical from C₈ to C₁₈ and the bactericidal potency of each compound was determined using Staph, aureus and E. typhosa as test organisms.

(2) In this series it was found that the C₁₄ homolog possesses the maximum bactericidal activity and the sequence of diminishing bactericidal power is as follows:

(3) A number of myristic acid esters of colamino formyl methyl quaternary ammonium chloride was prepared wherein the molecule as a whole remained constant in its structural configuration except as to the lower molecular weight substitution groups on the pentavalent nitrogen. The bactericidal activity of this series of compounds was determined using the same test organisms and was found that there is no appreciable difference in the respective compounds with the exception of the nicotinic amide derivative.

(4) The substitution of beta hydrogen in the pyridine ring by reduces the bactericidal potency of the pyridinium derivative.