Evaluation of 4-phenylphenalenones and structural analogues against the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis (causal agent of black sigatoka disease in bananas) under light-controlled conditions uncovered some key structural features for the design of photodynamic compounds.Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed the importance of a chromophoric aryl-ketone and a steroidomimetic structural motif in the activity of the assayed compounds. The results pointed to 1,2-dihydro-3H-naphtho[2',1':3,4]cyclohepta[1,2-b]furan-3-one, which displayed an activity in the range of propiconazole but with photodynamic behaviour.The present work demonstrates that 1,2-dihydro-3H-naphtho[2',1':3,4]cyclohepta[1,2-b]heterocyclic-3-one derivatives can be used as potential lead compounds for the development of fungicides, relying on a dual mode of action. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.