Pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria are highly sensitive to triphenylphosphanegold(O-alkylthiocarbamates), Ph3PAu[SC(OR)=N(p- tolyl)] (R = Me, et and iPr)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/s13404-013-0091-z

The phosphanegold(I) thiocarbamides, Ph₃PAu{SC(OR)=NC ₆H₄Me-4} for R = Me (1), Et (2) and iPr (3), have been shown to have essentially linear gold atom coordination geometries defined by phosphane-P and thiolate-S atoms, and exhibit minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 1-37 μg/ml against four Gram-positive bacteria, namely Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus; compounds 1-3 are less potent against a broad panel of 16 Gram-negative bacteria. As the minimum bactericidal concentration values were quite similar to the MIC values, compounds 1-3 are effective bactericidal agents. The specific action against the four Gram-positive bacteria suggests they function by inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis.