A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids

Abstract The rising challenge of developing effective antimicrobial agents to combat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections, while mitigating the risk of drug resistance, has prompted extensive exploration into alternative treatment strategies. This paper focuses on the synthesis and characterizat...

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Main Authors: Hira Akram, Bushra Arshad, Menahil Imtiaz, Waqas Ahmed, Muhammad Shafiq, Zaheer Ul-Haq, Rawaiz Khan, Ali Bahadar, Bashir Ahmad, Mudassir Iqbal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Chemistry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01574-3
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author Hira Akram
Bushra Arshad
Menahil Imtiaz
Waqas Ahmed
Muhammad Shafiq
Zaheer Ul-Haq
Rawaiz Khan
Ali Bahadar
Bashir Ahmad
Mudassir Iqbal
author_facet Hira Akram
Bushra Arshad
Menahil Imtiaz
Waqas Ahmed
Muhammad Shafiq
Zaheer Ul-Haq
Rawaiz Khan
Ali Bahadar
Bashir Ahmad
Mudassir Iqbal
author_sort Hira Akram
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The rising challenge of developing effective antimicrobial agents to combat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections, while mitigating the risk of drug resistance, has prompted extensive exploration into alternative treatment strategies. This paper focuses on the synthesis and characterization of imidazolium-based dicationic ionic liquids with the aim of addressing this crucial healthcare need. A total of 16 distinct compounds were successfully synthesized and systematically characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The investigation into the antibacterial activity of these ionic liquids showcased their potential as promising antimicrobial agents. Drawing on the advantageous properties of ionic liquids, such as reduced toxicity and outstanding antimicrobial efficacy. Our study specifically explores dicationic imidazolium-based ionic liquids with two different spacers: 1,3-dibromopropane and (E)-1,4-dibromobut-2-ene. Thorough analysis using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, and TGA techniques provided valuable insights into the molecular structures and thermal properties of the synthesized compounds. Antibacterial assays were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various combinations of these ionic liquids against bacterial strains, including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Remarkably, the ionic liquids containing the bisulphate anion exhibited exceptional antibacterial results compared to other combinations. The structure-activity relationship of the most prominent ionic liquids identified in the antibacterial assays was analyzed by DFT studies. Additionally, molecular docking was employed to investigate the molecular interactions involved in the antibacterial activities. ILs can be utilized as effective candidates against infections to avoid disabilities. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-3cf02e10eb5b436ba87e1e14172e1ed62025-08-20T03:42:29ZengBMCBMC Chemistry2661-801X2025-07-0119112610.1186/s13065-025-01574-3A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquidsHira Akram0Bushra Arshad1Menahil Imtiaz2Waqas Ahmed3Muhammad Shafiq4Zaheer Ul-Haq5Rawaiz Khan6Ali Bahadar7Bashir Ahmad8Mudassir Iqbal9Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST)Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST)Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST)Model pathology Lab, International Islamic UniversityDr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of KarachiDr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of KarachiDepartment of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, King Abdulaziz UniversityDepartment of Biological Sciences, International Islamic UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST)Abstract The rising challenge of developing effective antimicrobial agents to combat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections, while mitigating the risk of drug resistance, has prompted extensive exploration into alternative treatment strategies. This paper focuses on the synthesis and characterization of imidazolium-based dicationic ionic liquids with the aim of addressing this crucial healthcare need. A total of 16 distinct compounds were successfully synthesized and systematically characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The investigation into the antibacterial activity of these ionic liquids showcased their potential as promising antimicrobial agents. Drawing on the advantageous properties of ionic liquids, such as reduced toxicity and outstanding antimicrobial efficacy. Our study specifically explores dicationic imidazolium-based ionic liquids with two different spacers: 1,3-dibromopropane and (E)-1,4-dibromobut-2-ene. Thorough analysis using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, and TGA techniques provided valuable insights into the molecular structures and thermal properties of the synthesized compounds. Antibacterial assays were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various combinations of these ionic liquids against bacterial strains, including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Remarkably, the ionic liquids containing the bisulphate anion exhibited exceptional antibacterial results compared to other combinations. The structure-activity relationship of the most prominent ionic liquids identified in the antibacterial assays was analyzed by DFT studies. Additionally, molecular docking was employed to investigate the molecular interactions involved in the antibacterial activities. ILs can be utilized as effective candidates against infections to avoid disabilities. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01574-3ImidazoliumDicationicIonic liquidsAntibacterialDisabilityRehabilitation
spellingShingle Hira Akram
Bushra Arshad
Menahil Imtiaz
Waqas Ahmed
Muhammad Shafiq
Zaheer Ul-Haq
Rawaiz Khan
Ali Bahadar
Bashir Ahmad
Mudassir Iqbal
A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids
BMC Chemistry
Imidazolium
Dicationic
Ionic liquids
Antibacterial
Disability
Rehabilitation
title A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids
title_full A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids
title_fullStr A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids
title_full_unstemmed A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids
title_short A convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research: imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids
title_sort convergence of synthesis and antimicrobial research imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquids
topic Imidazolium
Dicationic
Ionic liquids
Antibacterial
Disability
Rehabilitation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-025-01574-3
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