Synthesis and activity evaluation of new benzofuran-1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrids against wood-degrading fungi

A series of novel benzofuran-1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrids were synthesized and evaluated as antifungal agents. The synthetic pathway was started from salicylaldehyde, which afforded 5-(substituted benzylthio)-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives in moderate to good yields. The compounds were investigated for their antifungal potential against white-rot, Trametes versicolor and brown-rot, Poria placenta and Coniophora puteana fungi at different concentrations (500, 1000 ppm). The obtaining results demonstrated that most of the compounds at 500 ppm concentration did not exhibit acceptable antifungal effects but they had better antifungal activity at 1000 ppm concentration. Compounds 5a, 5c, and 5i showed inhibition percentages of 14.6%, 23.0%, and 14.7%, against the growth of P. placenta and C. puteana, respectively. Among the compounds, the 2-(benzofuran-2-yl)-5-((2,6-difluorobenzyl)thio)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (5h) hybrid was the most active one.