Novel Sulfanilamide as Potent Surfactants and Antibacterial Agents

Sulfanilamide derivatives of the type RØSO₂NHR in which substitution at both the amino and amido nitrogen have been synthesized where R = NHCOCH:CHCOOH, NHCOCH₂CH₂COOH, NHCH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃Na, N⁺(CH₃)₃I^? and NHCH₂CH(OH)CH₂N⁺(C₂H₅)₃Cl^? and R′ = butyl, cyclohexyl, and decyl. The unique structural features of these sulfanilamides were confirmed by infrared, proton magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. Most of these compounds exhibited good water solubility and surface activity. Wetting ability and tendency of enhancing oil/water emulsification were related to the structure of the substituents in sulfanilamide molecule. Furthermore, the peculiar of molecular structure of these sulfanilamide surfactants imparts distinguished antimicrobial activity to these molecular species against some Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.