Synthesis and antifungal activities of 5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-sulfonyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-sulfonyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives.

Starting from the key intermediate 5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (4) or the oxadiazole analogue (5), the title compounds 9 and 10 are synthesized by a two-step process. Thioetherification reaction of 4 or 5 with an organic halide catalyzed by indium or indium tribromide first affords appropriate sulfide 7 or 8, which is then converted into title compounds 9 or 10 by hydrogen peroxide oxidation catalyzed by ammonium molybdate in ionic liquid [bmim]PF6. The structures are unequivocally confirmed by spectroscopic (IR, 1H and 13C NMR) data and elemental analyses. The structures of 8d and 10q are further established by X-ray crystallographic diffraction analysis. The compounds have been shown to be fungicidally active. Title compounds 10i and 10j can inhibit mycelia growth by approximately 50% (EC50) at 2.9-93.3 microg/mL in vitro against 10 kinds of fungi.