Studies on Zoospore Attracting Activity. II. Synthesis of Isoflavones and Their Attracting Activity to Aphanomyces euteiches Zoospore

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Nineteen isoflavones were synthesized and their attracting activity to Aphanomyces euteiches zoospore were investigated. Isoflavones (1, 2, 4, 16 and 19) with an unsubstituted B ring were synthesized by the oxidation of corresponding 2'-hydroxychalcones with thallium (III) nitrate trihydrate in methanolic perchloric acid. A hydroxyl group at the C-5 position in isoflavones was necessary for strong attraction to A. euteiches zoospore. The introduction of an additional hydroxyl group at the C-7 or C-4' position strengthened the attracting activity. Moreover, the methylation of the C-7 hydroxyl group strengthened the attracting activity, but the methylation of the C-4' hydroxyl group slightly weakened it. The naturally occurring isoflavones (9 and 10), which were reported to possess estrogen activity, showed moderate attracting activity.