Synthesis and seed germination stimulating activity of some imino analogs of strigolactones

Strigolactones are germination stimulants for seeds of the root parasitic weeds, Striga and Orobanche spp. The imino analog of GR24 showed moderate germination stimulating activity against the seeds of S. hermonthica. The seed germination stimulating activity of some phenyliminoacetates and phenyliminoacetonitriles was also examined. The degree of activity of the phenyliminoacetate was less than that of the phenylacrylates. On the other hand, the degree of activity of the phenyliminoacetonitrile was comparable to that of the phenylacrylonitriles. Among the tested compounds, the 3-pyridyliminoacetonitrile showed higher activity against the seeds of O. crenata than GR24. These findings demonstrate that it is not always essential to have the Michael acceptor of the C-D ring junction moiety which has been proposed to react with nucleophilic species presented at the target site to enhance the activity.