Synthesis and bactericidal properties of some pyridinium chlorides with alkylthiomethyl hydrophobic groups

Alkylthiomethyl chlorides were synthesized via the reaction of thioalcohols with paraformaldehyde and hydrogen chloride. The optimum reaction parameters were determined. Alkylthiomethylpyridinium chlorides were synthesized via the reaction of ocytlthiomethyl or dodecylthiomethyl chlorides with pyridine and its methyl derivatives. The surface active properties and its methyl derivatives. The surface active properties and minimum inhibitory concentrations (M.I.C.) toward various strains of microorganisms were determined for the compounds synthesized. It was found that they exhibit better bactericidal activity than commercial cetylpyridinium and cetyl-trimethylammonium bromides.