Z. Naturforsch. 2013,
68b, 1123 – 1128
doi:10.5560/ZNB.2013-3150
BIOnic Liquids: Imidazolium-based Ionic Liquids with Antimicrobial Activity
Frank
Postleb1,
Danuta
Stefanik2,
Harald
Seifert2, and
Ralf
Giernoth1
1 Universität zu Köln, Department für Chemie, Greinstr. 4, 50939 Köln, Germany
2 Universität zu Köln, Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Goldenfelsstr. 19–21, 50935 Köln, Germany
Received June 7, 2013 / published online October 4, 2013
We have synthesized twelve new ionic liquids composed of an imidazolium-based cation in combination with an anion that shows antiobiotic or analgesic activity. These "BIOnic Liquids" have been tested towards their antibiotic activity in a standardized microbiological assay. A surprizingly large number of compounds shows high activity towards a set of bacteria which cannot be explained as simple cumulative effects. The general concept opens up completely new possibilities for the future development of pharmaceutically active compounds.
Key words: Ionic Liquids, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Imidazolium Salts, Antibiotics, Antimicrobials, Analgesics