Synthesis and comparative fungitoxicity of methyl substituted schiff bases

Five Schiff bases (I-V) having methyl group in C-phenyl ring, five Schiff bases (VII-XI) containing methyl group in N-phenyl ring and one Schiff base (VI) with methyl group in both the C-phenyl ring and N-phenyl ring were synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral studies. The Schiff bases I-XI were screened in vitro for their fungitoxicity against Colletotrichum capsici, Helminthosporium gramineum and Myrothecium roridum by spore germination inhibition method. The results have been expressed in terms of ED₅₀ values. 4-Methylbenzal-4-toluidine (VI), the Schiff base with methyl groups in both the C-phenyl and N-phenyl rings has been found to possess promising activity against C. capsici and H. gramineum.