Discovery, SAR, and putative mode of action of N-benzyl-2-methoxybenzamides as potential bleaching herbicides.

BACKGROUND: Herbicides acting on biosynthesis of plant pigments have contributed greatly to weed control in recent years. In our previous studies, 2-methoxybenzamides were discovered as a novel type of lead compound for the development of bleaching herbicides. RESULTS: A total of 67 benzamide analogues were synthesized and evaluated for herbicidal activity. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed that a methoxyl substitution at the 2-position of the benzoyl moiety is essential for the herbicidal activity of benzamide derivatives, and introduction of small substituents at the meta- or para-position of the benzylamine moiety is also beneficial. Compounds 4, 43 and 44 showed 100% inhibition against Abutilon theophrasti and Amaranthus retroflexus at an application rate of 150 g a.i. ha-1 . CONCLUSION: The relationship between the structure and herbicidal activity of 2-methoxybenzamides was discussed intensively. Compounds 4, 43 and 44 may serve as novel candidates with a bleaching effect. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Investigation on the Antifungal Ingredients of Saccharothrix Yanglingensis Hhs.015, an Antagonistic Endophytic Actinomycete Isolated from Cucumber Plant.

Abstract: Apple tree canker infected by Valsa mali var. mali is a serious and widely distributed disease in China. Saccharothrix yanglingensis Hhs.015 is an endophytic actinomycete isolated from cucumber roots, and it has been proven that this strain is a promising biocontrol agent on apple tree canker in previous studies. The aim of this study was to elucidate the active ingredients in its metabolites. Two pentaene macrolides, WH01 and WH02, were isolated from strain Hhs.015, and their structures were elucidated based on the extensive spectroscopic analysis. WH01 and WH02 were identified as fungichromin and 1'-deoxyfungichromin, among which WH02 is a novel compound. These two compounds showed strong in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against V. mali. By comparison of the structures of hyphae cells treated by pure compound and fermentation broth, it has been proven that pentaene macrolides are the main active ingredients in the metabolites of strain Hhs.015. This is the first report on the antifungal activity of fungichromin and its analogs on V. mali, and the 28-member pentaene macrolides were also firstly isolated from the genus of Saccharothrix.