Synthesis of Cyclopropyl Ester and Amide Substituted Pyrimidinediones as Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase-Inhibiting Herbicides

The protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and is an important target in research for development of new herbicides. In this study, new pyrimidinedione compounds with thioester tail group containing cyclopropyl moiety are synthesized from the commercially available 2-(1-(mercaptomethyl)cyclopropyl)acetic acid. The herbicidal activity of the synthesized compounds is also evaluated. Most of the synthesized compounds exhibit herbicidal activities against both monocot and dicot weeds. In particular, 10a showed similar activity to the control material, Saflufenacil. And when against the monocot weeds, Echinochloa crusgalli and Digitaria sanguinalis, 10a shows superior activity to Saflufenacil.