Synthesis and surface and antimicrobial properties of novel cationic surfactants.

A series of surfactants with tuned polarity were prepared, including a new class of compounds: gluco-pyridinium surfactants. Pure anomers were obtained by chromatographic separation. The conductivity and surface tension of surfactant solutions in water were measured, and provided interesting information regarding their aggregation behavior. Peculiarities were observed in the premicellar range. Tensidic parameters correlated with antimicrobial activity. A few parameters, mainly the hydrophobicity of the headgroup, may play a role in finding more efficient antimicrobial structures.