Design, Synthesis of Arylhydrazide and Thiazolamine Derivatives Based on Benzodioxole Scaffold as Potential Antifungal Agents

In an effort to develop novel fungicides characterized by high efficacy and low toxicity, this study designed and synthesized 62 benzodioxole-arylhydrazide and benzodioxole-thiazolamine derivatives. Their antifungal activities were evaluated against ten phytopathogenic fungi. The majority of arylhydrazide analogues exhibited significant inhibitory effects in vivo. Notably, compound 1e demonstrated the best broad-spectrum antifungal potency, with EC 50 values ranging from 0.2 to 5.9 μg/mL. Further in vivo evaluation confirmed that 1e provided outstanding protective and curative effects against certain crop diseases. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that 1e exerted its antifungal effects by blocking spore germination, arresting germ tube elongation, and compromising fungal cell membrane integrity. Additionally, 1e displayed a favorable safety profile and promising plant-growth-modulating activity. These findings establish a solid foundation for the continued development of benzodioxole-derived compounds as novel botanical fungicides for agricultural protection.