SYNTHESIS OF SOME ANILIDES OF 2-ALKYL-4-PYRIDINECARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND THEIR PHOTOSYNTHESIS-INHIBITING ACTIVITY

Homolytic alkylation of 4-pyridinecarbonitrile with radicals generated by silver nitrate catalyzed oxidative decarboxylation of alkanoic aci ds and subsequent alkaline hydrolysis afforded 2-alkyl-4-pyridinecarbo xylic acids 2a-2e. These were converted into the halogeno-hydroxy subs tituted anilides 3a-3r via acyl chlorides by reaction with the respect ive aminophenols at 10 degrees C. Of the compounds tested, 5-chloro-2- hydroxyphenylamide of 2-butyl-4-pyridinecarboxylic acid 3h showed ed t he highest effect upon oxygen evolution rate in spinach chloroplasts s ystem. The structure-photosynthesis- inhibiting activity relationships are briefly discussed.