Relationship between structure and antibacterial activity of lipophilic N-acyldiamines

We report in this work the preparation and antibacterial evaluation of a series of N-monoacylated diamines against six Gram-positive and 11 Gram-negative bacteria. The results obtained showed the existence of relationship between lipophilicity and antibacterial activity of the tested compounds. The best results were obtained against Gram-positive bacteria for compounds having a 10–12 carbons alkyl chain. Compound 4e was the most active against Microccus lentus (MIC = 2 μg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (MIC = 4 μg/mL) and Enterobacter aerogenes CDC 1680 (MIC = 8 μg/mL).