Two new guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones, compounds 1 and 2, along with three known guaianolide- or pseudoguaianolides, were isolated from Centipeda minima (whole plant). Their structures were identified by spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses. The configuration at C5 of the guaiane framework of 1 was rationalized by quantum-mechanical calculations (Table 2). All compounds were found to be active against eight different microbial pathogens (Table 3), with MIC values in the range of 6.25-100 microg/ml.

Five new antibacterial agents of the N‐(2‐hydroxy substituted phenoxy propyl)glycine type have been synthesized. Results of bacteriostatic tests toStaphylococcus aureus (G+) andEscherichia coli (G−) showed that ammonium cations were strongest and compounds with ap‐methylphenyl were more active than those with ao‐methylphenyl.

The synthesis and surface active properties of sodium 3-alkoxy-and 3-[alkylmono (di) (oxyethylene)oxy]-2-hydroxy-l-propanesulfonates were investigated. Of all surface active compounds, those with a 2-hydroxypropyl (HP) moiety in the molecules were found more surface-active than the corresponding compounds without it.

Two series of new compounds, N,N-bis[2-(N'-acylamino)ethyl]glycines (1) and 4-[2-(N-acylamino)ethyl]2-piperazinones (2), were synthesized. Both series showed very good antimicrobial properties.