Inhibition of photosystem II electron transport by acyl derivatives of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione (Meldrum's acid)

In the course of the synthesis of γ-pyrones, well-known inhibitors of photosystem II electron transport, it turned out that the starting material, acyl derivatives of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-5,6-dione (Meldrum's acid) are potent inhibitors of photosystem II electron transport. Thus, in a simple one-step synthesis from commercial available substances, highly potent photosystem II inhibitors are generated. The biological activity of the acyl derivatives is in a parabolic fashion dependent from the length of the alkyl side chain.