Symbiotic Supramolecular self-association and the effects on antimicrobial activity

In this research the self-assembly and self-association processes occurring between supramolecular

aggregates and surfactant structures were studied. Three amphiphilic molecules have been presented in

this thesis. Two of which are novel and one which has been previously synthesised and characterised. The

characterisation, self-association, binding modes and antimicrobial activity of these amphiphiles have

been explored and reported. These amphiphiles containing tetrabutylammonium (TBA) countercation and

anionic hydrogen bond donor/hydrogen bond acceptor unit have been observed in the solid, solution and

gas states using a combination of scientific techniques. Observing these molecules in different solvent

systems (DMSO and EtOH: H2O (1:19) and at various concentrations has shown the ability of the anionic

monomer to self-associate in solution, thus resulting in the formation of dimeric (in DMSO) and extended

aggregate species (in EtOH/H2O). A series of three mixture combinations containing the compounds were

also studied. In addition, these mixtures of these amphiphilic salts showed their ability to self-sort which

resulted in the increase of their antimicrobial activity and decrease in critical micelle concentration.