Synthesis and Fungitoxicity of 1-(3-(Benzylideneamino)phenyl) Ethanone and its C-Phenyl Derivatives

1-(3-(Benzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone and its C-phenyl derivatives (Ia-VIIa) were synthesized by condensing 1-(3-aminophenyl)ethanone with aryl aldehydes (I-VII). The products were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral data and were screened in vitro for fungitoxicity against Altemaria attemata, Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium oryzae and Colletotrichum capsici by spore germination inhibition technique. 1-(3-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone (VIa) possessed ED₅₀ value of 8 μg/ml against F. oxysporum which was comparable with that of standard fungicide Bavistin 50 WP whereas compounds 1-(3-(3, 4-dimethoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone (IIIa) and 1-3-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone (Va) had ED₅₀ value of 40 μg/ml each against H. oryzae which was found to be lower than that of standard fungicide Indofil M-45 (46 μg/ml).