Biologically active symmetric and asymmetric dicationic <i>bis</i>-isatinhydrazones: which is better - complicing or simplifying the structure of the spacer?

The interaction of bis-isatins containing a 1,-ω-alkylene, arylene, or alkyluracil spacer with ammonium acetohydrazides yielded a series of dicationic isatin-3-acylhydrazones with symmetric and asymmetric structures. It was shown that the antimicrobial activity of the new compounds depends on the structure of the spacer and the nature of the substituent in the aromatic fragment. Derivatives based on 5-substituted isatins, in which heterocyclic fragments are linked by an alkylene chain of 9 and 10 carbon atoms, exhibit a bactericidal effect against resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus at the level of norfloxacin and the pathogen fungus P. cactorum , which causes plant late blight.