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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Synthesis of Hypervalent Iodonium Alkynyl Triflates for the Application of Generating Cyanocarbenes
Published on: September 8, 2013
Ethylene-like activity of isocyanides
1Mann Laboratory, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis, California 95616.
Isocyanides, not isocyanates or isothiocyanates, mimic ethylene's plant growth effects. These compounds directly activate ethylene receptors, showing potential for studying plant hormone action.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ethylene is a key plant hormone regulating growth and development.
- The precise mechanism of ethylene perception and signaling is not fully elucidated.
- Identifying compounds that mimic ethylene action can aid in understanding its receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ethylene-like activity of various isocyanides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates.
- To determine if these compounds act directly on ethylene receptors or indirectly by stimulating ethylene production.
- To explore the potential of these compounds in studying ethylene receptor function.
Main Methods:
- Pea (Pisum sativum) growth assay to assess ethylene-like activity.
- Potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber respiration assay.
- Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) senescence assay.
- Carrot (Daucus carota L.) isocoumarin formation assay.
- Inhibition studies using norbornadiene, a known ethylene action inhibitor.
Main Results:
- Only benzyl isocyanide and cyclohexyl isocyanide exhibited significant ethylene-like activity.
- The effective concentration for half-maximal response was 10-15 µL/L for both isocyanides.
- This activity was competitively inhibited by norbornadiene.
- Isocyanides did not induce endogenous ethylene production, indicating direct action.
- Similar ethylene-like activity was observed in potato, carnation, and carrot assays.
Conclusions:
- Isocyanides directly mimic ethylene action by interacting with ethylene receptors.
- Isocyanates and isothiocyanates do not possess ethylene-like activity.
- Benzyl isocyanide derivatives show potential for photoaffinity labeling of ethylene receptors.
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