Metallocene QACs: The Incorporation of Ferrocene Moieties into monoQAC and bisQAC Structures

Inspired by the incorporation of metallocene functionalities into a variety of bioactive structures, particularly antimicrobial peptides, we endeavored to broaden the structural variety of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) by the incorporation of the ferrocene moiety. Accordingly, 23 ferrocene-containing mono- and bisQACs were prepared in high yields and tested for activity against a variety of bacteria, including Gram-negative strains and a panel of clinically isolated MRSA strains. Ferrocene QACs were shown to be effective antiseptics with some displaying single-digit micromolar activity against all bacteria tested, demonstrating yet another step in the expansion of structural variety of antiseptic QACs.

Automated summary

Inspired by the integration of metallocene functionalities into bioactive structures, particularly antimicrobial peptides, researchers successfully expanded the structural variety of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) by incorporating the ferrocene moiety. The newly synthesized ferrocene QACs exhibited effective antiseptic properties, with some showing single-digit micromolar activity against all bacteria tested, marking another step forward in enhancing the structural diversity of antiseptic QACs.