Structural studies in azolylmethanes

The crystal structures of a number of fungicidal azolylmethanes are compared. In the benzyl compounds [1-aryl-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ones, the corresponding pentan-3-ols, and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-1-one], the benzyl and tert-butyl groups (or 4-chlorophenyl group) are trans, whereas in the analogous phenoxy compounds [1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-one and the corresponding butan-2-ol], the tert-butyl groups are trans to the triazole and gauche to the phenoxy group. Coupling constants, determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopy, suggest that for some compounds there is one dominant solution conformation. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding, observed by infrared spectroscopy in two of the compounds, supports the findings by n.m.r. For some compounds, the crystal and solution conformations appear to be very similar, whereas in others they are quite different. Published data on the relative activity of the enantiomers of the benzyl- and phenoxy-compounds are discussed, but differences in the relative activity of enantiomers in the two series cannot be readily rationalised. It is concluded that different enantiomers may have different modes of binding at the active site.     

Photolysis,metabolism and other factors influencing the performance of triadimefon as a powdery mildew fungicide

Triadimefon, 1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-( 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butanone, applied at low dosage rates to leaves of marrow, apple or barley plants gave effective control of the appropriate powdery mildew fungi. The compound appeared to be systemic and to have considerable vapour-phase activity. In marrow plants, up to 56% of triadimefon was metabolised to a mixture of two corresponding diastereoisomeric secondary alcohols. The mixture was identical with that obtained by chemical reduction of triadimefon. This mixture was also a very effective systemic fungicide and active in the vapour-phase. Triadimefon was also reduced when incubated with Aspergillus niger but this was important only in shake culture. In replacement culture experiments, mycelial mats of this fungus converted the compound into a different metabolite, its isopropyl analogue. This may have resulted from participation of triadimefon in the C-4 demethylation processes involved in fungal biosynthesis of ergosterol. Photolysis caused cleavage of the C-1 to triazole bond liberating 1,2,4-triazole, 4-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenyl methyl carbonate, all of which were non-fungitoxic. The importance of this photolysis in the in-vivo situation is discussed.     

Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationships of Miticidal 4,5-Dihydropyrazole-5-thiones

A series of novel 4,5-dihydropyrazole-5-thiones (DHPs) was synthesised by treating the corresponding dihydropyrazolones with ‘Lawesson’s reagent and evaluated for miticidal activity against two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Of these, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazole-5-thione, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-ethyl-4-methyl-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazole-5-thione, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydropyrazole-5-thione-4-spirocyclopentane and 4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5-dihydropyrazole-5-thione were highly active (pEC₅₀>4·0) and were more effective than the miticide dicofol (pEC₅₀=3·879), which has traditionally been used for the control of phytophagous mites. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies were performed on each position of the pyrazole ring of DHPs. The results indicated that the unsubstituted phenyl, 4-substituted phenyl and thioxo groups on the 1-, 3- and 5-positions of DHPs respectively were required for activity. Quantitative SAR studies using physicochemical parameters of substituents and the capacity factor k′ as a hydrophobicity index suggested that: (a) the activities of all types of DHPs examined were mainly dominated by hydrophobicity, (b) the bulkiness of 4-substituents of the 3-phenyl ring favoured the activity and (c) the log k′ optimum for all DHPs was 1·675, equivalent to a log P_ow value of c. 5·0.     

Metabolism of 2-[methoxy(methylthio)phosphinylimino]-3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,3-oxazolidine in the cotton plant and houseflies

The metabolism of 2-[methoxy(methylthio)phosphinylimino]-3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,3-oxazolidine (Stauffer R-16,661), a new experimental insecticide, was investigated in the cotton plant, houseflies, and in in vitro enzymatic and model oxidation systems. The principal metabolite isolated both in vivo and in vitro proved to be the 4-keto derivative of R-16,661. The structure of this metabolite was confirmed by PMR and mass spectral analysis. Toxicological examination showed that the 4-keto metabolite was approximately equal to R-16,661 in toxicity to the white mouse but was substantially less toxic to the housefly.     

Action of fungicidal triazoles of the diclobutrazol series on ustilago maydis

Diclobutrazol [(2RS, 3RS)-1-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1,2, 4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol] decreased the rate of growth of Ustilago maydis during the log phase. Marked changes in sterol composition were observed with a decrease in ergosterol and an increase in methyl-sterols, indicating a block in the removal of the 14-methyl group. The inhibition was of rapid onset (<4 h). Changes in other lipid constituents were minor and there was no build up of unsaturated fatty acids. The fungicidal activity resides in the (2R, 3R)-isomer, which is known to be more potent in blocking a yeast 14-demethylase enzyme than the (2S, 3S)-isomer. This relationship held in the 4-chlorophenyl homologues, which as a group were less fungicidal and less potent inhibitors than the 2, 4-dichlorophenyl compounds. The evidence presented indicates that the primary lesion caused by the fungicide was a build up of membrane sterols containing extra methyl groups; this, in combination with a loss of ergosterol, is believed to prevent proper membrane ordering and thus to cause a loss of membrane function.     

Phototransformation of Triadimefon on Glass and Soil Surfaces

Photodegradation of triadimefon has been studied on glass and soil surfaces. A number of photoproducts have been isolated and characterised by NMR, IR and MS. Photolysis resulted in considerable amounts of 1-(4-chlorophenoxymethyl)-1,2,4-triazole, 1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane, 1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one and 1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol. Rates of photodegradation on glass and soil surfaces under UV and sunlight followed first-order kinetics with a significant correlation coefficient. Photodegradation was greater on alluvial soil than on laterite soil.     

嘧啶联吡唑甲酰胺类化合物的合成及除草活性

设计合成了一系列结构新颖的嘧啶联吡唑甲酰胺类化合物5a~5o,其结构均经过1H NM R和MS分析确证。初步生物活性测试结果表明:在有效成分150 g/hm2剂量下苗后茎叶喷雾处理时,化合物(R)-N-[1-(4-氯苯基)乙基]-3-二氟甲基-1-(4,6-二甲氧基嘧啶-2-基)-1H-吡唑-4-甲酰胺(5c)、N-[1-(4-氯苯基)乙基]-1-(4,6-二甲氧基嘧啶-2-基)-N-甲基-3-三氟甲基-1H-吡唑-4-甲酰胺(5i)和N-[1-(4-氯苯基)乙基]-1-(4,6-二甲氧基嘧啶-2-基)-3-三氟甲基-1H-吡唑-4-甲酰胺(5k)对繁缕Stellaria media的抑制率高达90%以上;而同样剂量下苗前土壤喷雾处理时,化合物N-[1-(4-氯苯基)乙基]-3-二氟甲基-1-(4,6-二甲氧基嘧啶-2-基)-1H-吡唑-4-甲酰胺(5b)和5c对繁缕的抑制率达100%。该类结构化合物有望作为除草先导化合物进行开发。     

Effects of dimethazone (FMC 57020) on chloroplast development: 1. Ultrastructural effects in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) primary leaves

The effects of dimethazone [FMC 57020; 2-(2-chlorophenyl)methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxalidinone] on the growth and ultrastructure of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were examined. Seeds were imbibed in 0.5 mM dimethazone for 1 day and grown for 4 to 5 subsequent days in darkness without the herbicide. The herbicide stunted etiolated hypocotyl growth and retarded greening under 150 μmol · m⁻² · sec⁻¹ white light. No effects of dimethazone on the in vivo absorption spectrum of the etiolated primary leaf was detected. The herbicide caused some reduction and disorganization of prothylakoids in etiplasts. After 3 hr of white light chlorophyll accumulation was greatly reduced in treated leaves and ultrastructural development of the chloroplasts of herbicide-treated tissues appeared to be retarded. Pronounced thylakoid disruption was noticed in some cells after 12 hr, was more common after 24 hr, and was found in all cells by 72 hr. Maximally affected plastids lacked thylakoids, had irregular envelopes, and contained numerous vesicles.     

Metabolic resistance mechanisms of the housefly (Musca domestica) resistant to pyraclofos

In vivo and in vitro metabolism of pyraclofos labeled with ¹⁴C on benzene ring was studied in the pyraclofos-resistant and -susceptible female houseflies. In vivo metabolism studies, the metabolic rate of pyraclofos was the same in both strains. Pyraclofos primarily undergoes metabolic detoxification by cleavage of P-S-alkyl bond, and cleavage of the P-O-aryl bond followed by CHP [1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypyrazole]]-glucose conjugation. Cleavage of P-O-aryl bond and CHP-glucose conjugation is more predominant in the resistant strain whereas the cleavage of P-S-propyl bond resulting in EHP-CHP [O-1-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-4-yl ethyl hydrogen phosphate] is more preferred in the susceptible strain. CHP production by P-O-aryl bond cleavage was controlled by P450 monooxygenase and esterase. UDP-glucosyltransferase appeared to play an important role in the pyraclofos metabolism of the resistant strain. Production of CHP-glucose conjugate was largely reduced by piperonyl butoxide and S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate in both strains. EHP-CHP production seemed to be controlled by P450 monooxygenase and stimulated by UDP-glucose.     

Metabolism of DDT and related compounds in cell suspension cultures of soybean (Glycine max L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Cell suspension cultures of wheat and soybean were incubated with [¹⁴C]-1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), [¹⁴C]-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (DDE), and [¹⁴C]-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA) under standardized conditions. Polar metabolites were formed in yields of 1–2.5% in the cases of DDT and DDE, and of 56% in the case of DDA. A nonpolar metabolite was only observed in the case of DDT in soybean. This metabolite was identified as DDE on the basis of cochromatography and mass spectroscopy. By the same methods DDA was identified as a major polar DDT metabolite of both soybean and wheat. The further conversion of DDA to hexose esters was demonstrated by chromatographic and mass spectroscopic comparison with synthetic DDA-β-d-glucopyranosyl tetraacetate. These studies suggest the metabolic sequence, DDT → DDA → DDA-hexose ester.     

Metabolism of 2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl-7 N-methyl-N-(2-toluenesulfenyl)carbamate in the housefly and white mouse

The metabolism of a new, selectively toxic derivative of carbofuran, 2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl-7 N-methyl-N-(2-toluenesulfenyl)carbamate has been investigated. The selective toxicity between insect and mammal is due to differing pathways of metabolism. Houseflies appear peculiarly suited for the rapid liberation of the toxic agent, carbofuran, from N-(2-toluenesulfenyl) carbofuran in large amounts. Metabolism in the mouse is more complex and involves a series of oxidative and hydrolytic detoxication processes which do not result in the formation of carbofuran.     

The phototransformation of a bis-2,3-diazabutadienyldisulfide to an aphicidally active 2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole

The pro-insecticide bis-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(pyrid-3-yl)-2,3-diazabutadien-1-yl)disulfide, I is photochemically transformed to the aphicidally active 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyrid-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole IIa .     

Metabolism of cisanilide (cis-2,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinecarboxanilide) by excised leaves and cell suspension cultures of carrot and cotton

Major methanol-soluble metabolites of cisanilide (cis-2,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinecarboxanilide) were isolated from excised, pulse-treated carrot and cotton leaves. They were identified as O-glucoside conjugates of primary aryl and alkyl oxidation products, 2,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidine-4-hydroxycarboxanilide and 2,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-1-pyrrolidinecarboxanilide. Comparative studies with carrot and cotton cell cultures showed similar initial pathways of cisanilide metabolism. Time-course studies with [¹⁴C-pyrrolidine]- and [¹⁴C-phenyl]cisanilide showed little, if any, cleavage of the herbicide molecule in either excised leaves or cell cultures. Quantitative differences in the metabolism of cisanilide by cell cultures and excised leaves included; a reduced capacity of cell cultures to form secondary glycoside conjugates and an increased ability of cell cultures to form methanol-insoluble residues.     

啶菌噁唑对番茄灰霉病菌的抑菌作用研究

采用生物测定方法研究了啶菌噁唑对番茄灰霉病菌Botrytis cinerea不同发育阶段的影响。结果表明:其对菌落扩展、芽管伸长、分生孢子产生和菌核形成均具有显著的抑制活性,其中啶菌噁唑对P-9菌株菌丝生长和芽管伸长的EC50值分别为0.193和0.154 μ g/mL,0.5 μ g/mL的啶菌噁唑对菌丝生长和芽管伸长的抑制率大于77%,对分生孢子和菌核萌发的抑制率分别低于10％和40%,表明药剂对分生孢子萌发无明显抑制作用。紫外吸收分析显示,啶菌 NFDA1 唑可破坏细胞的膜结构,促使菌体核酸和蛋白外渗。离体叶片毒力测定结果表明,120 μ g/mL的啶菌 NFDA1 唑可有效抑制番茄灰霉病病斑扩展,抑制率达83.74%。     

杀菌剂啶菌(噁)唑的高效液相色谱分析

建立了一种用反相高效液相色谱测定啶菌噁唑的定量分析方法。采用C18ODS色谱柱,以甲醇-水(75∶25,体积比)作为流动相,流速1.0mL/m in,检测波长220nm。啶菌噁唑色谱图显示两个吸收峰,分别为两个同分异构体Z体和E体。在400700μg/mL浓度范围内,标准溶液浓度和吸收峰面积之间有良好的线性关系,回归方程为Y=4.846 7x+232.85,相关系数r为0.999 2;对原药溶液及其制剂溶液测定的重复性SR分别为0.004 0和0.004 7。该方法准确、精密,适用于啶菌噁唑的定量分析。     

Untersuchungen zum Abbau des Herbizids Chlorphenpropmethyl im Boden und durch Mikroorganismen

Investigations on the breakdown of the herbicide chlorfenpropmethyl in the soil hy microorganisms The herbicide 2-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionic acid methyl ester (chlorfenprop-methyl) was hydrolized within a few hours in sandy and loamy soils. The product of the hydrolysis, 2-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)propionic acid (CPP), was metabolized in both soils with a half-life period of 4–8 days when the initial concentration was 22 ppm and of just one day when the initial concentration was 4.4 ppm. In soil 4-chloro-benzoic acid was identified as an intermediary product of the CPP breakdown, and, in mixed cultures of soil micro-organisms, 4-chloro-cinnamic acid as well, In autoclaved soil and soil sterilized with NaN₃ the breakdown of CPP did not take place. The enrichment and isolation of the micro-organisms responsible for the first step in the breakdown of CPP was not possible. Two strains of bacteria isolated from the experimental soils and tentatively attributed to the genera Flavobacterium and Brevibacterium respectively, broke the metabolite 4-chloro-cinnamic acid down to 4- chloro-benzoic acid; two strains of the genus Arthrobacter grew on the 4-chloro-benzoic acid as the only carbon source. The results on the whole support the view that chlorfenpropmethyl is first hydrolized to CPP which is then broken down via 4-chloro-cinnamic acid to 4-chloro-benzoic acid. Further breakdown of 4-chloro-benzoic acid follows by ring cleavage.     

The metabolism of cypermethrin in plants: The conjugation of the cyclopropyl moiety

The metabolism of the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin ([S,R,]-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(1R,1S,cis,trans)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2′,2′-dichlorovinyl)cyclopropane carboxylate), I, has been examined in lettuce plants grown and treated twice under outdoor conditions with ¹⁴C-cyclopropyllabeled material. The application rate at each treatment was equivalent to 0.3 kg/ha. At harvest, 21 days after the last application, the plants contained mainly unchanged cypermethrin (33% of the total radiolabel present) and polar materials (54%) which were shown to be conjugates of trans-2(2′,2′-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (II). One of these was identified as the β,d-glucopyranose ester. In separate experiments the uptake and metabolism of the acid (II) in cotton leaves were examined in the laboratory and the acid was shown to be readily converted into a mixture of the β,d-glucopyranose ester, an acidic derivative of this, and disaccharide derivatives including the glucosylarabinose ester and the glycosylxylose ester. Subsequently, cotton leaves were exposed to solutions of these individual conjugates, and interconversions between these metabolites were observed.     

Metabolism of amitrole in apple: III. Model systems

Excised shoots from apple trees and cell suspension cultures were used as model systems to study the metabolism of [3,5-¹⁴C]amitrole in Malus domestica Borkh. Significant differences in the metabolism of the compound applied were observed with excised shoots, cultured cells and whole apple trees. The major metabolite in excised shoots was aminotriazolylalanine which occurred both in the free form and as conjugates. The major metabolite from whole plants. triazolylalanine, was detected in shoots in minor amounts only. In cell suspension cultures, the type of metabolism strongly depended on the concentration of amitrole when initially applied. At 10 ^?3 m or lower, mainly aminotriazolylalanine was formed. Depending on the concentration of the active ingredient, this metabolite predominantly occurred in free form or as glycosides. At concentrations above 5 × 10^?4 M a new metabolite, 3,5-dihydroxytriazole, was detected which was the only metabolite found at 5 × 10^?3M. Significant amounts of nonmetabolized amitrole remained in the medium.     

METABOLISM OF MONURON IN EXCISED LEAVES OF CORN AND BEAN PLANTS*

Summary. The metabolism of monuron in excised leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. Black Valentine) and corn (Zea mays L., var. Batam Cross) were studied with carbonyl-¹⁴C-labelled monuron. The metabolic conversions of monuron in both plant species were exponential and followed first order reaction kinetics. The metabolism of monuron can be divided into two major pathways: demethylation and hydroxylation. At a monuron concentration of 16 ppm the hydroxylation was dominant in the bean leaves. As the concentration of monuron was increased the participation of the hydroxylation pathway became less probably due to the inhibition of enzymes involved by monuron. The demethylation pathway was not affected by higher monuron concentration. In the corn leaf, however, sequential demethylation was always the major pathway of monuron transformation and there was no inhibitory effect observed on either pathways as the concentration of monuron increased. The following radioactive metabolites were found in the alcohol extract of bean and com leaves receiving carbonyl-¹⁴C-labelled monuron: N′-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylurea, p-chlorophenylurea, two polypeptide complexes of monuron, one polypeptide complex of N′-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylurea and β-D-glucosides of N-(2-hydroxy-4-chlorophenyl) urea, N′-(2-hydroxy-4-chlorophenyl) N-methylurea, and N′-(2-hydroxy-4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea. In addition, one minor radioactive peak was found only in the alcohol extract of corn leaves, which yielded four unidentified radioactive metabolites after acid or enzyme hydrolysis with β-glucosidase. Métabolisme du monuron dans des feuilles excisés de maïs et de haricot     

Effects of piperonyl butoxide and DEF on the metabolism of methoprene by the imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren

Studies are presented on the effects of two synergists, piperonyl butoxide and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate, on the metabolism of methoprene [isopropyl (2E,4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate], an insect growth regulator, by the castes of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. In adults, but not in larvae, pharate pupae, and pupae, piperonyl butoxide, a microsomal enzyme inhibitor, reduced methoprene metabolism by blocking O-demethylation. S,S,S-Tributyl phosphorotrithioate, an esterase and microsomal oxidase inhibitor, was most effective in reducing methoprene metabolism in larvae. In toxicity studies, against pharate pupae, the O-demethylated methoprene metabolite (alcohol-ester) was shown to be more toxic than methoprene. Synergists may be useful in bait formulations used for imported fire ant control to extend the effectiveness of methoprene.