Patent number: 5252630
Abstract: A method of controlling the attachment of organisms to an underwater surface is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the organisms with a compound of Formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkoxy, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aryl, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl aryl, or carbohydrate; R.sub.2 is hydrogen or hydroxyl, and R.sub.3 is hydrogen, or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form an epoxide; R.sub.4 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, or carboxylic acid; and L is selected from the group consisting of a moiety of Formula II, a moiety of Formula III, and a moiety of Formula IV ##STR2## wherein R.sub.5 is CH.sub.2, NH, O or S, R.sub.6 is CH.sub.2, NH, O or S, R.sub.7 is N or CH, and R.sub.8 is NH or O, and wherein the compound is optionally substituted from 1 to five times with halogen, hydroxyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl, or C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkoxy groups at positions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 15, 1992
Date of Patent:
October 12, 1993
Assignee:
Duke University
Inventors:
Donald J. Gerhart, Dan Rittschof, Joseph Bonaventura