Nickel complexes with phosphines and N-R-sulfonyldithiocarbimates ligands: New antifungals for the control of Hemileia vastatrix and Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Abstract

Nickel(II) complexes of general formula [Ni(RSO2N = CS2)(PPh3)2] (2a–h) or [Ni(RSO2N = CS2)dppe] (3a–h), where R = methyl (a), ethyl (b), butyl (c), octyl (d), phenyl (e), 4-isopropylphenyl (f), 4-tert-butylphenyl (g), 2-naphthyl (h), PPh3 = triphenylphosphine and dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane were prepared, from which six are new substances (2f–h and 3f–h). The new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis of C, H, N and Ni, and by IR, UV–Vis and 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopies. The data were consistent with the formation of square planar nickel(II) complexes with mixed ligands, what was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on compounds 2f and 2h. These complexes present intramolecular NiHC anagostic interactions. All complexes inhibited the germination of Hemileia vastatrix and Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal agents of devastating diseases on soybean and coffee cultures. The most active compounds presented IC90 values as low as 405 µM against H. vastatrix, and 280 μM against P. pachyrhizi. Thus, the title compounds are target molecules for the development of new agrochemicals against the Asian soybean rust and Coffee leaf-rust diseases.