THE ANTISEPTIC ACTION OF CARBAZOLE-3-DIAZONIUM CHLORIDE AND CERTAIN OTHER DIAZONIUM COMPOUNDS

WITH A NOTE ON THE PREPARATION OF CARBAZOLE-3-DIAZONIUM CHLORIDE

¹ From the Department of Organic Chemistry, the University, and the Department of Pathology of the Western Infirmary and University, Glasgow

The relatively stable diazonium compound, carbazole-3-diazonium chloride has a powerful antiseptic action both on Staphylococcus aureus and B. coli, as tested in a medium containing a small amount of commercial "peptone;" the action is somewhat reduced in the presence of serum. When the diazonium compound is completely decomposed by boiling the antiseptic power is practically destroyed, being reduced to less than one hundredth of the original value. Accordingly, the antiseptic property is associated with the diazonium group.

Several benzene and other diazonium compounds have been examined but they are weaker in action and on destruction by boiling their antiseptic properties are only slightly reduced.