The conjugation of antibiotics with polymers is rarely done, but it might be a promising alternative to low-molecular-weight derivatization. The two penicillins penicillin G (PenG) and penicillin V (PenV) were attached to the end groups of different water-soluble poly(2-oxazoline)s (POx) via their carboxylic acid function. This ester group was shown to be more stable against hydrolysis than the β-lactam ring of the penicillins. The conjugates are still antimicrobially active and up to 20 times more stable against penicillinase catalyzed hydrolysis. The antibiotic activity of the conjugates against Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of penicillinase is up to 350 times higher compared with the free antibiotics. Conjugates with a second antimicrobial function, a dodecyltrimethylammonium group (DDA-X), at the starting end of the PenG and PenV POx conjugates are more antimicrobially active than the conjugates without DDA-X and show high activity in the presence of penicillinase. For example, the conjugates DDA-X-PEtOx-PenG and DDA-X-PEtOx-PenV are 200 to 350 times more active against S. aureus in the presence of penicillinase and almost as effective as the penicillinase stable cloxacollin (Clox) under these conditions. These conjugates show even greater activity compared to cloxacollin without this enzyme present. Further, both conjugates kill Escherichia coli more effectively than PenG and Clox.

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Telechelic antimicrobial poly(2-oxazoline)s with quaternary ammonium (quat) end groups are shown to be potent antimicrobial polymers against Gram-positive bacterial strains. In this study, the activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli is additionally implemented by hydrolyzing the poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) with two quart end groups to poly(ethylene imine) (PEI). The resulting telechelic polycations are active against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. The contribution of the PEI backbone is determined by measuring the antimicrobial activity in the presence of calcium ions. The influence of PEI on the overall activity strongly depends on the molecular weight and increases with higher mass. The PEI dominates the activity against E. coli at lower masses than against S. aureus. The quart end groups require an alkyl substituent of dodecyl or longer to dominate the antimicrobial activity. Additionally, PEI and quart end groups act synergistically.