Exploration of novel syringic esters as antifungal agent against phytopathogenic fungi of maize: Structure‐activity studies

Abstract

The production of maize is limited by major diseases such as foliar blights, stalk rot, maydis leaf blight; banded leaf and sheath blight and many more. Synthesis of ecologically sustainable and naturally derived products can help us counter these diseases. Hence, Syringaldehyde (a natural occurring isolate) should explore as a viable option as green agrochemical. We performed a structure‐activity study to optimize syringaldehyde and its physicochemical properties. A series of novel syringaldehyde esters was synthesized and investigated focusing on esters’ nature of lipophillicity, and membrane affinity. Tri‐chloro acetylated ester of syringaldehyde was emerged as broad‐spectrum fungicide.