Solution‐Phase Synthesis of Backbone‐Constrained Cationic Peptoid Hexamers with Antibacterial and Anti‐Biofilm Activities

Abstract: Submonomer synthesis in solution and block‐coupling protocols were combined to prepare amphiphilic peptoid hexamers. The amphipathic character arises from the use of hydrophobic aliphatic tert‐butyl side‐chains imposing the cis‐amide backbone conformation and various cationic side‐chains periodically introduced each three residues. Evaluation of the effect on Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains as well as the capacity to impair biofilm formation and the toxicity of one selected compound allowed to highlight the potential of a short constrained peptoid carrying triazolium‐type cationic pendant groups.