Chain-Engineered Tetraphenylethylene Derivatives for Potent Antimicrobial Activity Against Pathogens

Abstract

Pathogenic infections can lead to severe diseases. The misuse of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of resistant strains. Tetraphenylethylenes were investigated with variable substituent chains and configurations for the effective killing of pathogenic bacteria, which employ a synergistic antibacterial mechanism dominated by quaternary ammonium salt, supplemented by photodynamic therapy.