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Pinheiro PF, Martins GS, Gonçalves PM, Vasconcelos LC, Dos Santos Bergamin A, Scotá MB, de Resende Santo IS, Pereira UA, Praça-Fontes MM. Synthesis and evaluation of esters obtained from phenols and phenoxyacetic acid with significant phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic activities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-35222-5. [PMID: 39365538 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35222-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
There is a growing demand for herbicides that are more effective than conventional ones yet less harmful to ecosystems. In light of this, this study aimed to synthesize esters from phenols and phenoxyacetic acid, using compounds with known phytotoxic potential as starting materials. Phenoxyacetic acid was first synthesized and then utilized in the synthesis of seven esters through Steglich esterification, employing N,N'-dicyclohexylcarboimide and N,N-dimethylpyridin-4-amine in the presence of phenols (thymol, vanillin, eugenol, carvacrol, guaiacol, p-cresol, and β-naphthol), yielding esters 1-7. All synthesized compounds were characterized using mass spectrometry, 1H, and 13C NMR. These compounds were tested for phytotoxicity to evaluate their effects on the germination and root development of Sorghum bicolor and Lactuca sativa seeds, and for the induction of alterations in the mitotic cycle of meristematic cells of L. sativa roots. Esters 1, 3, 4, and 5 exhibited the most significant phytotoxic activity in both L. sativa and S. bicolor. Alterations in the mitotic index and frequency of chromosomal alterations in L. sativa roots revealed the cytotoxic, genotoxic effects, and the aneugenic mode of action of the tested molecules. These findings suggest that these compounds could serve as inspiration for the synthesis of new semi-synthetic herbicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Fontes Pinheiro
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Geisiele Silva Martins
- Departament of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre, ES, 29500-000, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Martins Gonçalves
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre, ES, 29500-000, Brazil
| | - Loren Cristina Vasconcelos
- Departament of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre, ES, 29500-000, Brazil
| | - Aline Dos Santos Bergamin
- Departament of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre, ES, 29500-000, Brazil
| | - Mayla Bessa Scotá
- Departament of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferraria 514, Goiabeiras, Vitória, ES, 29075-910, Brazil
| | | | - Ulisses Alves Pereira
- Montes Claros Regional Campus, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Universitária 1000, Bairro Universitário, Montes Claros, MG, 39404-547, Brazil
| | - Milene Miranda Praça-Fontes
- Departament of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre, ES, 29500-000, Brazil.
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Pinheiro PF, da Costa TLM, Corrêa KB, Bastos Soares TC, Parreira LA, Werner ET, de Paula MDSAT, Pereira UA, Praça-Fontes MM. Synthesis and Phytocytogenotoxic Activity of N-Phenyl-2-phenoxyacetamides Derived from Thymol. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:4610-4621. [PMID: 38380437 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The excessive use of herbicides has caused a series of problems related to human health, environmental pollution, and an increase in the resistance of plants to commercial herbicides. As an alternative, natural compounds and their semisynthetic derivatives have been widely studied to obtain environmentally friendly and more effective herbicides than the usual ones. In view of these factors, the aim of this work was to synthesize new molecules with herbicidal potential using thymol as a starting material, a natural phenol that has a pronounced phytotoxic effect. Novel N-phenyl-2-thymoxyacetamides were synthesized and characterized by MS and by 1H and 13C NMR. All prepared molecules were subjected to phytotoxic and cytotoxic activity assays using Lactuca sativa L. and Sorghum bicolor L. as model plants. Molecules containing chlorine in the para position of the thymoxy group exhibited phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic effects superior to those of the commercial herbicides 2,4-D and glyphosate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Fontes Pinheiro
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Thais Lazarino Maciel da Costa
- Department of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo Brazil
| | - Kellen Barelo Corrêa
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo Brazil
| | - Taís Cristina Bastos Soares
- Department of Pharmacy and Nutricion, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo Brazil
| | - Luciana Alves Parreira
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo Brazil
| | - Elias Terra Werner
- Department of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo Brazil
| | | | - Ulisses Alves Pereira
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Montes Claros Regional Campus, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Avenida Universitária 1000, Bairro Universitário, CEP 39404-547, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Milene Miranda Praça-Fontes
- Department of Biology, Federal University of the Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo Brazil
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