Synthesis of inhibitors of imidazole glycerol phosphate dehydratase

Novel inhibitors of the newly discovered herbicide target enzyme imidazole glycerol phosphate dehydratase are described. The most potent inhibitor, compound 6 (IC50< 1 μM), arose by linking a 1,2,4-triazole and phosphonic acid via a five atom chain. The use of malonate as a phosphate equivalent also gave rise to inhibitors, the best being compound 12 (IC50 6μM).