Benzaldehyde O-Alkyloximes as New Plant Growth Regulators

Fourty-two kinds of benzaldehyde O-alkyloximes derived from benzaldehydes were prepared and their biological activities were investigated. Introduction of a fluorine or bromine atom to the benzene ring of the oximes enhanced their phytotoxic activity. The O-alkyloximes with a fluorine atom at the 3 or 4 position of the benzene ring were more active than the other oximes in the GA₃-induced α-amylase induction inhibition test. In the transpiration test, 4-bromobenzaldehyde O-carboxylmethyloxime was the most active. The O-alkyloximes exhibited weak abscisic acid-like activity by inhibiting not only the germination, root growth and transpiration of higher plants but also GA₃-induced α-amylase induction in embryoless barley seeds.