Cross-Linking of a Hydrophilic, Antimicrobial Polycation toward a Fast-Swelling, Antimicrobial Superabsorber and Interpenetrating Hydrogel Networks with Long Lasting Antimicrobial Properties.

A hemocompatible, antimicrobial 3,4en-ionene (PBI) derived by polyaddition of trans-1,4-dibromo-2-butene and N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine was cross-linked via its bromine end groups using tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) to form a fast-swelling, antimicrobial superabsorber. This superabsorber is taking up the 30-fold of its weight in 60 s and the granulated material is taking up 96-fold of its weight forming a hydrogel. It fully prevents growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

Nontoxic, Hydrophilic Cationic Polymers-Identified as Class of Antimicrobial Polymers.

Amphiphilic polycations are an alternative to biocides but also toxic to mammalian cells. Antimicrobially active hydrophilic polycations based on 1,4-dibromo-2-butene and tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine named PBI are not hemotoxic for porcine red blood cells with a hemocytotoxicity (HC50) of more than 40,000 μg · mL(-1). They are quickly killing bacterial cells at their MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration).