Synthesis and plant growth regulatory activities of 2′,3′-PhABA and iso -2′,3′-PhABA esters

Methyl and phenyl esters of 2′,3′-PhABA and iso -2′,3′-PhABA were prepared for the biological investigation and development of practical applications. These esters exhibited excellent activity in most plant growth inhibitory assays. And, three esters were more efficient than ABA in stomatal closure. The 2′,3′-PhABA analogs and their methyl esters have good stability in hydrolysis assay, and the different lipid solubility and permeability of different esters may be one of the origins of their active selectivity for different plants and physiological processes. Furthermore, in the study of drought tolerance, all four esters had comparable activity to ABA. These results suggest that these esters were potent plant growth regulator (PGR) candidates for anti-drought. The finding that different esters have different selective bioactivity and biophysical properties indicates that these esters not only function as ABA-like PGRs but also have the possibility as potential selective pro-hormone. Graphical abstract 2′,3′-BenzoABA esters as PGR candidates with prolonged and selective bioactivity.