Antifouling activity of simple synthetic isocyanides against larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite

Twelve simple linear isocyanides were synthesized and examined for antifouling activity and toxicity against cyprid larvae of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite . Larval settlement was inhibited, with EC50 values of 0.046-1.90 mug ml(-1) , and they were much less toxic (LD50 values ranging over 21.28 mug ml(-1) ) than CuSO4 (EC50 0.30 mug ml(-1) and LD50 2.95 mug ml(-1) ). The data indicate that simple linear isocyanides are promising non-toxic antifouling agents.