Three series of novel 2-cyanoacrylates 7a–7f, 9a–9f, 10a–10f containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring moieties were synthesized as herbicidal inhibitors of photosystem II (PS II) electron transportation. Their structures were clearly verified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis (or HRMS analysis) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Bioassay showed that a suitable group at the 3-position of acrylates was essential for high herbicidal activity. In particular, compound 7e showed the best herbicidal activities and gave 100% inhibitory activity against rape and amaranth pigweed at a dose of 1.5 kg/ha. Introduction of substituent with higher polarity such as sulfinyl or sulfonyl to the 5-position of 1,3,4-thiadiazole decreased herbicidal activities.

As alternatives to the common tertiary phosphine/Pd systems, well-defined N-heterocyclic carbene–Pd complexes have been proven to be highly efficient precatalysts for intermolecular direct annalution of o-haloanilines and ketones at lower catalyst loadings. A highly efficient and practical protocol for synthesis of functionalized indoles was developed using (IPr)Pd(acac)Cl as catalyst. Both o-bromoanilines and o-chloroanilines gave rise to efficient coupling under the reaction conditions. Related to acyclic ones, cyclic ketones coupled more effectively with o-haloanilines. With [Pd(IPr)₂] as catalyst, the base-sensitive groups including OH and CO₂H groups could be tolerated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fourteen new 1H-1,2,4-triazole alcohol derivatives containing a ferrocenyl moiety were synthesized. In addition, six unexpected compounds, the hydroxyls of the title compounds, methylated by methanol, were obtained. The structures of all these new compounds were confirmed using ¹H NMR spectra, ¹³C NMR, MS and elemental analyses. Some compounds were also confirmed with IR spectra. The antifungal and plant growth regulatory activities of the title compounds are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Novel 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-[4-aryl-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)thiazol-2-yl] urea derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of 2-amino-4-sustituted phentyl-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) thiazoles with 2,4-dichloro-1-isocyanatobenzene. Structures of the title compounds were confirmed by the elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Biological evaluation showed that some of them possess promising antitumor activities. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:2–6, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20375