Colin Swithenbank

1,4-Bis-(2,3-epoxypropylamino)-9,10-anthracenedione and related compounds as potent antifungal and antimicrobial agents

1,4-Bis-(2,3-epoxypropylamino)-9,10-anthracenedione (1) and related derivatives were assayed for antifungal, antimicrobial, and plant growth regulatory activity. Compound 1 was extremely potent against several strains of fungi, bacteria, and algae (MIC <2 ppm) and controlled two types of downy mildew by 90–100% at a dose of 12 ppm.

Synthesis and properties of a photoaffinity labeling reagent for protoporphyrinogen oxidases, the target enzymes of diphenyl ether herbicides.

A diazoketone 3 has been synthesized in two steps from acifluorfen 1, a diphenyl ether herbicide. Like the parent compound 1, the diazoketone 3 is toxic to plant cells and inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase, the molecular target of diphenyl ether herbicides. On photolysis of 3 in methanol, the generated carbene mainly undergoes the Wolff rearrangement to a ketene which further adds methanol, but many other products are observed. A tritiated derivative of 3 has been prepared which is suitable for photoaffinity labeling experiments.