Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors: Anilides

Since the discovery of carboxin, 19 different anilides inhibiting the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) have been launched onto the market. An outstanding fungicidal activity along with a relatively benign toxicological profile make this compound class an important tool to control plant disease caused by phytopathogens. This chapter gives a short overview on the evolution of the anilides from specialized substances for seed treatment to compounds for the control of a much broader spectrum of different fungal diseases, ranging from molds to leaf spots to rust diseases. Examples of the synthesis of typical market compounds are given as well as insights into their metabolism, structure–activity relationship, and their efficacy against recently isolated point mutations.