Polymeric disinfectants and uses thereof

A polymer represented by the formula Q-[L-A]n,

• wherein:
• Q is an aliphatic chain optionally interrupted by one or more groups each independently selected from the group consisting of —O—, —CO—, —NH—, —S—, —CO—NH—, —NH—CO—, —NH—CO—NH—, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, arylene, and heteroarylene, and further optionally substituted by one or more groups each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, —O-alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl;
• L is selected from the group consisting of alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, arylene, and heteroarylene, wherein said alkylene, alkenylene and alkynylene each independently is optionally interrupted by one or more groups each independently selected from the group consisting of —O—, —CO—, —NH—, —S—, —CO—NH—, —NH—CO—, —NH—CO—NH—, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, arylene, and heteroarylene;
• A each independently is a mono- or poly-cyclic heterocyclyl or heteroaryl of formula I, II, III, or IV:
• linked to group L via any one of the ring atoms, and optionally further substituted with one or more groups each independently selected from the group consisting of ═O, ═S, halogen, —CN, —OH, —COOH, ═N—OH, —NO2, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, —N(R4)2, —NR4C(O)N(R4)2, [—NR4C(O)—NR4—(CH2)l—NR4C(O)—NR4]m—R5, —N═R5, and —O−B+, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl each independently is optionally substituted with one or more groups each independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, —OH, —COOH, ═O, ═S, and —N(R4)2;
• R1 each independently is O or S;
• R2 is H, halogen, alkyl, or represents group L;
• R3 is alkyl;
• R4 each independently is H, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;
• R5 each independently is cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl;
• l and m each independently is an integer of at least 1;
• n is an integer of at least 1;
• B+is an organic cation or a metal ion;
• and
• Z− is a counter anion,
• provided that at least about 1% of the A groups comprises both at least one quaternary ammonium group and at least one N-halogen bond.