The Relation between the Structure of Coumarin and its Derivatives, and their Activity as Germination Inhibitors

A large number of substitution derivatives of coumarin wereexamined. In every case the activity was wholly or partiallyremoved by substitution. A number of growth regulators of the2:4-D type were examined. These acted as germination inhibitors,in some cases being more active than coumarin. It is concluded that the activity of coumarin as a germinationinhibitor is due to its specific structure, consisting of anunsaturated lactone linked to an unsubstituted benzene nucleus.Any change in this structure leads to the partial destructionof the activity as a germination inhibitor.