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A series of novel N‐{5‐[2‐(4,6‐dimethoxy‐pyrimidin‐2‐yloxy)‐phenyl]‐[1,3,4]thiadiazol‐2‐yl}2‐aroxy‐propanamides were designed and synthesized by the multistep reactions. 2‐(4,6‐Dimethoxy‐pyrimidin‐2‐yloxy)‐benzaldehyde (1) reacted with aminothiourea to yield 2, which undergoes ring closure to give 5‐[2‐(4,6‐dimethoxy‐pyrimidin‐2‐yloxy)‐phenyl]‐[1,3,4]thiadiazol‐2‐amine (3) in the presence of ferric chloride in refluxing ethanol. 3 reacted with 2‐aroxy‐propionyl chlorides to give the target compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i in moderate to good yields. Their structures were confirmed by IR, 1H‐NMR, EIMS, and elemental analyses. The preliminary bioassay indicated that some of them displayed moderate to good selective herbicidal activity against Brassica campestris L. at the concentration of 100 mg/L. However, these compounds did not possess inhibitory activity against Echinochloa crus‐galli at the tested concentrations.

Uracil derivatives, such as commercial herbicides butafenacil and benzfendizone, have been identified as inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox, EC 1.3.3.4), one of the most important action targets of herbicides. In order to search for novel Protox inhibitors with high efficacy, broad‐spectrum activity, and safety to crops, commercially herbicide butafenacil was used as lead compound for further optimization; a series of title compounds 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i, 8j, 8k, 8l, 8m, 8n were designed and synthesized by introducing 1,3,4‐thiadiazole moiety into the uracil skeleton. The preliminary bioassays (in vitro) indicated that most of the target compounds displayed better inhibition against Echinochloa crus‐galli than Brassica campestris. The greenhouse bioassay results indicated that most of the compounds tested exhibited good‐to‐excellent herbicidal activities against B. campestris, A. retroflexus, E. crusgalli, and D. sanguinalis in pre‐emergence treatment at a dose of 1500 g/ha, for example, compound 8d showed 100% inhibition against the four plants tested in pre‐emergence treatment at a dose of 1500 g/ha. So, these types of skeletons can be used as valuable lead compounds for the development of a pre‐emergent herbicide.

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