Water soluble alkali metal salts of butyl, octyl and dodecylbenzoylacrylic acids were derived from the corresponding less soluble alkylbenzoylacrylic acids. And the antimicrobial activity and surface tension of their aqueous solutions were examined. They show the antimicrobial activity significantly against Gram positive bacilli, but lesser extent against Gram negative bacilli and fungi. For the antimicrobial activity, octylbenzoyl acrylate is superior and for the surface activity, 3- (2-hydroxy-3-octylbenzoyl) acrylate is superior.
Then the effect of the introduction of hydroxyl or acetylamino group to the alkylbenzoyl acrylic acid on the antimicrobial power and surface activity were also compared.