Chavicol and Related Compounds as Nematocides

In a search for nematocidal compounds from wild plant sources, chavicol and demethyleugenol were found from V. furcatum, and 4-vinylphenol was found from three Rosaceae species. These three compounds each contained both p-hydroxyphenyl and exo-methylene moieties, and several related compounds were prepared and tested for nematocidal activity. The results show that the hydroxyphenyl group was essential for the activity, while the aliphatic substituents on the benzene ring enhanced it. The strongest activity was found with 4-propenylphenol.