Synthesis and Biological Activity of New (E)-α-(Methoxyimino)benzeneacetate Derivatives Containing a Substituted Pyrazole Ring

Strobilurins are one of the most important classes of agricultural fungicides. To discover new strobilurin analogues with high activity, a series of new strobilurin derivatives containing a substituted pyrazole in the side chain were synthesized and their biological activities were tested. The compounds were identified by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and elemental analysis. The test results indicated that the compounds exhibited strong fungicidal activities against Pyricularia oryzae, Phytophthora infestans, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, and Erysiphe graminis. The relationship between structure and biological activity is discussed in terms of the effects of the substituents on the pyrazole ring. The present work demonstrates that strobilurin analogues with a 3-(substituted phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-oxy side chain can be used as possible lead compounds for the development of potential agrochemicals.