Synthesis and antifungal activity of novel α-alkoxyimino-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)acetonitriles containing piperazine moiety

A series of α-alkoxyimino-[1-(4-methylpiperazino-1-yl)carbonylmethyl-1 H -benzimidazol-2-yl] acetonitriles were synthesized from o -phenylenediamine, ethyl cyanoacetate, chloroacetyl piperazine, and haloalkane/benzyl chloride by multi-step reactions. The structures of the target compounds were elucidated by IR, 1 H NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. All the target compounds were tested for in vitro antifungal activities against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea by the mycelium growth rate method, and the results indicated that some compounds displayed higher antifungal activity as compared to carbendazim.