Charged pi-conjugated molecules for the treatment of microbial infections

A method of forming a compound of formula (IV)

• wherein:
• m is 0, 1, 2, or 3;
• X3 is Br, Cl, I, or F;
• and
• R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl(C≤18), alkenyl(C≤18), alkynyl(C≤18), aryl(C≤18), aralkyl(C≤18), heteroaryl(C≤18), heterocycloalkyl(C≤18), or a substituted version of any of these groups;
• comprising the steps of:
• (a) obtaining a compound of formula (III)
• wherein:
• m is 0, 1, 2, or 3;
• X3 is Br, Cl, I, or F;
• and
• R8, R9, and R10 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl(C=18), alkenyl(C≤18), alkynyl(C≤18), aryl(C≤18), aralkyl(C≤18), heteroaryl(C≤18), heterocycloalkyl(C≤18), or a substituted version of any of these groups;
• and
• (b) reacting the compound of formula (III) with a catalyst and a base under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (IV).