In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to click-functional antimicrobial molecules (including small molecules or, in some cases, macromolecules) and the construction of antimicrobial polymers such as polyurethanes, polyesters, and polyacrylates, including through the use of such molecules. In some cases, the antimicrobial click-functional molecules are based on 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT), trimethylguanidine or tetramethylguanidine (TMG), polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG), fluorine-containing molecules, or a combination thereof. For example, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT) functionalized with an alkyne (BIT-Al), trimethylguanidine or tetramethylguanidine (TMG) functioned with an alkyne (TMG-Al) or dual alkynes (TMG-dAl), and/or polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) functionalized with an alkyne (PHMG-Al) are described herein. Clickable antimicrobial polymers can be used to form coatings or films.
