Phenol derivatives as antimicrobial agents

A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or mixture thereof, comprising one or more compounds of formula (I) and/or said salts,

• wherein
• R1 denotes a radical in ortho-, meta, or para-position to the phenolic OH group, the radical being selected from the group consisting of E/Z-3-methylbut-1-en-1-yl, 3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl, and 3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl;
• and
• R2 denotes a radical in ortho-, meta, or para-position to the phenolic OH group, the radical being selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl groups with 1 to 3 C atoms;
• for use as antimicrobial agent for inactivation of microorganisms.

An antimicrobial composition, comprising

• (a) one, two or more compounds of formula (I)
• and/or one, two or more pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein
• R1 denotes a radical in ortho-, meta, or para-position to the phenolic OH group, the radical being selected from the group consisting of E/Z-3-methylbut-1-en-1-yl, 3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl, and 3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl;
• and
• R2 denotes a radical in ortho-, meta, or para-position to the phenolic OH group, the radical being selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl groups with 1 to 3 C atoms,
• (b) one, two or more further antimicrobially active compounds not being compounds of formula (I),
• (c) optionally one or more adjuvants not being compounds of formula (I) and not being antimicrobially active compounds.

A method for imparting a fragrance to a substance comprising applying to the substance (i) a compound of formula (I) or (ii) a mixture comprising one or more compounds of formula (I)

• wherein
• R1 denotes a radical in ortho-, meta, or para-position to the phenolic OH group, the radical being selected from the group consisting of E/Z-3-methylbut-1-en-1-yl, 3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl, and 3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl;
• and
• R2 denotes a radical in ortho-, meta, or para-position to the phenolic OH group, the radical being selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl groups with 1 to 3 C atoms.