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Brayton SR, Toles ZEA, Sanchez CA, Michaud ME, Thierer LM, Keller TM, Risener CJ, Quave CL, Wuest WM, Minbiole KPC. Soft QPCs: Biscationic Quaternary Phosphonium Compounds as Soft Antimicrobial Agents. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:943-951. [PMID: 36926876 PMCID: PMC10111419 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) serve as a first line of defense against infectious pathogens. As resistance to QACs emerges in the environment, the development of next-generation disinfectants is of utmost priority for human health. Balancing antibacterial potency with environmental considerations is required to effectively counter the development of bacterial resistance. To address this challenge, a series of 14 novel biscationic quaternary phosphonium compounds (bisQPCs) have been prepared as amphiphilic disinfectants through straightforward, high-yielding alkylation reactions. These compounds feature decomposable or "soft" amide moieties in their side chains, anticipated to promote decomposition under environmental conditions. Strong bioactivity against a panel of seven bacterial pathogens was observed, highlighted by single-digit micromolar activity for compounds P6P-12A,12A and P3P-12A,12A. Hydrolysis experiments in pure water and in buffers of varying pH revealed surprising decomposition of the soft QPCs under basic conditions at the phosphonium center, leading to inactive phosphine oxide products; QPC stability (>24 h) was maintained in neutral solutions. The results of this work unveil soft QPCs as a potent and environmentally conscious new class of bisQPC disinfectants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R Brayton
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, United States
| | - Zachary E A Toles
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, United States
| | - Christian A Sanchez
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Marina E Michaud
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Laura M Thierer
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, United States
| | - Taylor M Keller
- Department of Chemistry Crystallography Facility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Caitlin J Risener
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Cassandra L Quave
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - William M Wuest
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Kevin P C Minbiole
- Department of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, United States
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