The Synthesis and Anti-geotropic Activity of ο-Arylethenylbenzoic Acids

Abstract

Fourteen new and three known ο-arylethenylbenzoic acids (10-18), required for testing as potential plant growth regulators, have been synthesized by the Wittig reaction. The cis- and trans- isomers were separated by fractional crystallization and identified by NMR spectroscopy. The preliminary assay results on cress seedlings are reported and show that both geometric isomers appear to have nearly identical anit-geotropic activity in this test system.