Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of camphorsulfonic acid derived imidazolium salts

A group of homochiral imidazolium salts bearing hydrophobic camphor derived moiety and ester or amide functional group were synthesized and characterized. The novel imidazolium bromides were tested as antimicrobial and antifungal agents and their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated and compared to clinically used benzalkonium bromide (BAB) and carbethopendecinium bromide. The MIC values of amide derivatives 2a and 2b were slightly smaller than those for BAB, indicating their good activity. None of the prepared salts was more effective than carbethopendecinium bromide. The biocidal efficacy of amide derivatives was much higher compared to the ester analogues.