Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 8-hydroxyquinoline analogs as inhibitors of dental plaque.

A group of 5-substituted 8-hydroxyquinolines with predicted log P values in the 1-4 range has been prepared from either 8-hydroxyquinoline or its appropriate derivative. 5-Formyl-, 5-iodo-, 5-fluoro-, 5-acetyl-, and 5-methoxymethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline in addition to methyl-5(8-hydroxyquinolyl)acetate and ethyl 5-(8-hydroxyquinolyl)acetate displayed greater in vitro antiplaque activity than 8-hydroxyquinoline.