Functionalised antifouling compounds and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to derivatives of α,α-disubstituted amide compounds which comprise a substituted aryl at the α carbon such that the substituent provides a means for attachment or incorporation of the compound to or in a polymer. The provision of such a substituent on the aryl has surprisingly been found not only to permit attachment to or incorporation in a polymer but also retention of useful antifouling activity. In embodiments, the substituent is selected from hydroxyl, ethers, esters, carboxyls, alkylsilyls and alkenyls. Experiments demonstrate that antifouling activity can be as good or better as the corresponding unsubstituted compound and that polymers functionalized so as to include or be formed from the substituted compound can be used to reduce settlement.