Antimicrobial β-peptoids by a block synthesis approach

Antimicrobial peptides and their mimetics offer a potential new disinfective tool. β-Peptoids (oligo-N-substituted β-alanines) were synthesized and investigated for antimicrobial activity. A block approach whereby di- and tri-β-peptoids were first prepared and then ligated via amide bond formation to synthesize larger β-peptoids was developed. The β-peptoids were found to possess moderate activity in an Escheridchia coli assay.