The discovery and development of compounds counteracting ethylene at the receptor level

The discovery and development of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) was not done as a single step but rather was found by studying various aspects of ethylene action and the ethylene receptors. It was first noted that 2, 5-norbornadiene seemed to counteract ethylene. Studies showed it was a competitive inhibitor of ethylene responses, and knowledge that ethylene antagonists like ethylene agonists bound to silver in the same order as they were active as inhibitors was obtained. Ring strain appeared to be a primary factor that led to trans-cyclooctene then to diazocyclopentadiene. This same concept allowed for the use of chemical concepts that lead to cyclopropenes. More recent work indicates additional factors can come into play in the development of ethylene antagonists at the receptor level and these are now being utilized to find additional and improved antagonists. 1-MCP is likely to remain a primary means of controlling ethylene responses for the immediate future.