Background: Trifluoromethyloxadiazoles (TFMOs) are selective inhibitors of class II histone deacetylases (HDACs). To date, class II HDACs have not been addressed as target enzymes by commercial fungicides.
Results: Antifungal testing of a broad variety of TFMOs against several important plant pathogens showed activity against only rusts, and especially Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the cause of Asian soybean rust.