Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 5, No. 2, p 162-180, 2010 Available online at www.fkkksa.utm.my/mpj 162 Synthesis and Characterization of p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde Oxime based Terpolymers and their Biological Activities Narendra P. S. Chauhan, Rakshit Ameta a , Rameshwar Ameta b and Suresh C. Ameta * Department of Polymer Science, University College of Science, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur- 313 001(Rajasthan) INDIA a Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Kota, Kota (Rajasthan) INDIA b Department of Chemistry,Govt. Meera Girls college, Udaipur-313001(Rajasthan) INDIA ABSTRACT: A number of copolymers were synthesized by condensation of 4- hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime (HBO), formaldehyde (F) and chloro, bromo, methoxy or methyl substituted acetophenones (A) at 100 -120˚C. The copolymers were characterised by FT-IR and 1 H NMR data. Molecular weight and polydispersity were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Molecular weights were observed in the range 2966 – 4390 and the polydispersity index (PDI) range is 1.40 -1.45. Thermal stability of the polymers was investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The initial decomposition temperature was 200˚C whereas softening temperature (T s ) of resins was ranging from 100 -165.8˚C. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the polymers were also screened on various bacteria and fungi. All the synthesized polymer showed excellent antimicrobial activities as compared to the standard ciprofloxacin and amphotericin-B drugs. Keywords: p-hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime, copolymer resins, thermal degradation, thermal stability, antimicrobial activity. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The use of polymers in all spheres of life has been abundantly increased in recent years. Although various workers have synthesized many polymers but there is a pressing demand to synthesize eco-friendly polymers having some biological activities like antifungal and antibacterial. The invasion of polymers by fungi, bacteria and other organism is manifested by loss of mechanical properties, surface degradation, discoloration, staining and other deteriorations [1, 2]. Polymer additives improve manufacture process and product quality. It can form continuous phase of coating with no deleterious effects on coatings, and having better thermal stability [3-7]. Resorcinol- acetophenone copolymer was prepared [8] by using trifluoroacetic acid as catalyst having some antimicrobial activity. Similarly, 2, 4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde oxime-formaldehyde polymers were synthesized [9] in the presence of oxalic acid as a catalyst. The oxime carbazone and thiosemicarbazone derivatives of N(4-acetylphenyl)maleimide was radical homopolymerized [10] and they show good antimicrobial activities. Terpolymer of 4- hydroxyacetophenone, formaldehyde and biuret were also synthesized [11] in the presence of acid catalyst having ion exchange properties. Recently, some new copolymer resins were synthesized [12] by condensing the oxime of benzyl-2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl ketone with formaldehyde and a number of comonomers such as acetophenones/benzoic acids. Some related work in this field has been carried by Rahangdale et al. [13]. They reported the synthesis and chelation ion exchange properties of 2, 4-dihydroxyacetophenone – biuret - formaldehyde terpolymer resins. Also, Garland and Cooper [14] have studied the synthesis and characterization of acrylic terpolymers with RGD peptides for biomedical applications. *Corresponding Author: ameta_sc@yahoo.com (Suresh C. Ameta)