Synthesis and herbicidal activity evaluation of novel α-amino phosphonate derivatives containing a uracil moiety.

A series of novel α-amino phosphonate derivatives containing a uracil moiety 3a-3l were designed and synthesized by a Lewis acid (magnesium perchlorate) catalyzed the Kabachnik-Fields reaction. The bioassays {in vitro, in vivo [Glass House 1 (GH1) and Glass House 2 (GH2)]} showed that most of compounds 3 exhibited excellent and selective herbicidal activities; for example, in GH1 test, compounds 3b, 3d, 3f, 3h and 3j showed excellent and wide spectrum herbicidal activities at the dose of 1000 g/ha, and compounds 3b and 3j exhibited 100% inhibition activities against the four plants in both post- and pre-emergence treatments. Moreover, most of compounds 3 showed higher inhibition against Amaranthus retroflexus and Digitaria sanguinalis than Glyphosate did in pre-emergence treatment.

Synthesis and Biological Activity Evaluation of Novel α-Amino Phosphonate Derivatives Containing a Pyrimidinyl Moiety as Potential Herbicidal Agents.

To find novel high-activity and low-toxicity herbicide lead compounds with novel herbicidal mode of action, series of novel α-amino phosphonate derivatives containing a pyrimidinyl moiety, I, II, III, and IV, were designed and synthesized by Lewis acid (magnesium perchlorate) catalyzed Mannich-type reaction of aldehydes, amines, and phosphites. Their structures were clearly identified by spectroscopy data (IR, (1)H NMR, (31)P NMR, EI-MS) and elemental analyses. The bioassay [in vitro, in vivo (GH1 and GH2)] showed that most compounds I exhibited good herbicidal activities; for example, the activities of compounds Ib, Ic, Ig, Ii, Ik, and Im were as good as the positive control herbicides (acetochlor, atrazine, mesotrione, and glyphosate).