Design,Synthesis, and Fungicidal Activity of Novel Imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine Derivatives

A series of novel imidazo4,5‐b]pyridine derivatives were designed and synthesized. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were identified by spectroscopic data NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. Bioassay showed that the compounds exhibited potent fungicidal activities against Erysiphe graminis, Puccinia polysora, and so forth. Particularly, 2‐chloro‐5‐((5‐methoxy‐2‐(2‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)‐3H‐imidazo4,5‐b]pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl)thiazole ( 9b ) displayed fungicidal potency against P. polysora. Its EC₅₀ value: 4.00 mg/L is comparable with that of tebuconazole. The structure–activity relationship for the target compounds is discussed.