In the present study, a series of novel benzimidazole derivatives containing chrysanthemum acid moieties was designed and synthesized. Preliminary investigation of biological activity indicated that all of the compounds exhibited lower activity than that of beta-cypermethrin against Plutella xylostella and Lipaphis erysimi; meanwhile, they showed good inhibitory activity against Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in vitro. The fungicidal activity of compound 8a against B. cinerea was approximately equal to that of thiabendazole and was twice as active against S. sclerotiorum as was thiabendazole. In addition, compound 9e displayed the most potent inhibitory activity against both fungi and was almost twice as potent as thiabendazole.
Keywords: benzimidazole derivatives; biological activity; characterization; synthesis; thiabendazole.