Ammonium, Phosphonium, and Sulfonium Polymers for Antimicrobial Applications: A Comparative Study

• DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.4c00461
• Publication Date: 2024-06-11T06:18:41Z
• Authors: Yutong Gong; Xin Xu; Md Aquib; Yuhao Zhang; Wenting Yang; Yixin Chang; Hui Peng; Cyrille Boyer; Andrew K. Whittaker; Changkui Fu
• Keywords: Cationic polymerization; Phosphonium; Sulfonium

Cationic polymers have gained significant attention as potent antimicrobial agents due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. These can interact with negatively charged bacterial cell membranes, leading disruption membrane structure and ultimately causing death bacteria. While quaternary ammonium is most utilized cationic group in polymers, there an increasing interest exploring other groups, such phosphonium sulfonium, for applications. However, limited research has been conducted on comparing effects different types groups properties these polymers. In this work, we synthesized three distinct classes bearing ammonium, phosphonium, sulfonium cations a comparative investigation into their cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity, order unravel bioactivity