Homologous Design and Three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Acaricidal 2,4-Diphenyloxazolines Containing Different Heteroatoms and Alkyl Chains.

In order to speculate the three-dimensional structure of the potential binding pocket of the chitin synthase inhibitor, a series of 2,4-diphenyloxazoline derivatives with different lengths of alkyl chains and heteroatoms were designed and synthesized by a homologous strategy. The bioassay results indicate that both the length of the alkyl chains and the type of substituents can affect the acaricidal activity against mite eggs. Compounds containing chloropropyl, alkoxyalkyl, and para-substituted phenoxyalkyl or phenylthioalkyl groups exhibit good activity, while those containing steric hindrance substituents or carbonyl substituents on the benzene ring exhibit reduced activity. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study showed that there may be a narrow hydrophobic region deep in the pocket, and the steric effect plays a more important role than the electrostatic effect. The current work will provide assistance for future molecular design and target binding research.