Rational Design of a Copper(I) Complex Derived from an Asymmetric Thiourea Ligand with High Antifungal Activities

Abstract The reaction of 1‐(2,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐3‐phenylthiourea ( L ) and copper(II) chloride dihydrate resulted in production of the complex [CuL 2 Cl] which contains monovalent copper. The complex was isolated in the monoclinic crystal system (space group = C 1 2/c 1) and its coordination geometry is trigonal planar composed of one chlorine and two sulfur atoms. The complex (150 µg/mL) provided significant inhibitory activity (40.5 mm) against the phytopathogen Fusarium oxysporum and led to complete inhibition of F. oxysporum ‐induced pathogenicity to wheat seeds. Percentages of wheat germination, evidence of phytotoxicity levels, were investigated: [CuL 2 Cl] (150 µg/mL) offered percent germination of 67%, but the ligand was less toxic offering percentage of germination of 77%. Reduction in shoot lengths (control = 41 mm) and root lengths (control = 54.3 mm) of germinated wheat seeds influenced by our compounds was cleared. At 150 µg/mL, 1‐(2,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐3‐phenylthiourea, copper(II) chloride dehydrate, and [CuL 2 Cl] offered shoot lengths of 26.3, 9.6, and 29.3 mm and root lengths of 34.7, 0, and 26.6 mm, respectively.