The pyrethrins and related compounds. Part XXXVIII—optimisation of insecticidal activity in 3-[(alkoxyimino)methyl]-4-fluorobenzyl esters

Optimisation of activity in 3-[(alkoxyimino)methylbenzyl] esters has been investigated by introducing an α-cyano group and a fluorine atom in position 4 of the benzylic moiety in conjunction with varying the length and nature of the side chain. Of the five side-chain variations investigated, the 3-methoxyiminomethyl was more effective than others. Introduction of fluorine in position 4 of the benzylic moiety generally increased activity, particularly against mustard beetles, as in previous instances. Surprisingly, the effect on insecticidal activity of introducing an α-CN group ranged from positive to negative depending upon the nature of the alkoxyimino substituent, an effect not observed previously. The most effective esters were derived from α-cyano-4-fluoro-3-[(methoxyimino)methyl]benzyl alcohol, which was synthesised from 2-{4-fluoro-3-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]phenyl}-1,3-dioxolane.     

Insecticidal activity and microsomal metabolism of biooxidizable lindane analogs

The insecticidal activity of lindane analogs, in which some chlorine atoms were replaced by other groups susceptible to microsomal oxidative metabolism, was determined against mosquitos, house flies, and German cockroaches. When tested with a synergist, piperonyl butoxide, one of the methylthio analogs was as active as lindane, whereas several others were also highly active. By examining the ratio of synergized and unsynergized LD₅₀ values (synergistic ratio value), the highly insecticidal methylthio, methoxy, and methyl analogs appear to undergo metabolic detoxication effectively in house flies. By means of in vitro metabolism experiments using microsomal fraction from house fly abdomen, the methoxy, ethoxy, and methylthio analogs were shown to be metabolized rapidly at similar rates. The synergized insecticidal activities of these compounds against various insect species relate linearly with each other, suggesting that the oxidative degradation is inhibited by the synergist to a similar extent and that the transport process to the site of action is not a limiting factor in determining the relative insecticidal activity.     

The pyrethrins and related compounds. Part XLII:Structure–activity relationships in fluoro-olefin non-ester pyrethroids

A series of compounds containing fluorine atoms in place of hydrogen in olefinic non-ester pyrethroids has been synthesised using a route based on novel intermediates, ie 2-fluoroallyl acetates, which are coupled with aryl Grignard reagents, and tested against several insect species. In most cases, after introduction of fluorine at the olefinic position, the activity remains high in both the 1-aryl-1-(3-arylprop-2-enyl)cyclopropane and the (1-aryl-4-arylbut-2-enyl)cyclopropane series. In particular, the former series have potential as soil insecticides, because in tests against Diabrotica balteata, activities were high, and dose-transferability factors were increased by the introduction of fluorine. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The pyrethrins and related compounds. Part XXXII. Replacement of the central ester link

This paper, and the two following, report a detailed examination of the effect of replacement of the central link in pyrethroids by isosteric or isoelectronic groups, and how the resulting change in insecticidal activity depends on the particular groups present in the other parts of the molecule. In this first paper, a wide range (42 variations) of central groups in different combinations are synthesised and tested. Results indicate that with conventionally pyrethroidal acid and alcohol fragments in the molecule, some isosteric replacements are tolerated, but most other variations are unsuccessful, Particularly interesting central groups are ? COCH₂? and ? CH?CH? CH₂? (E).     

Effects of pyrethroid structure on rates of hydrolysis and oxidation by mouse liver microsomal enzymes

Studies on the metabolism rates of 44 pyrethroids and 24 model compounds in mouse liver microsomal systems serve to divide the substrates into three groups based on their ease of hydrolysis and oxidation. Primary alcohol esters of trans-substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic acids are most rapidly metabolized with hydrolysis generally serving as the major component of the total metabolism rate. Although hydrolyzed slowly or not at detectable rates, the primary alcohol cis-substituted cyclopropanecarboxylates, tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylates, and p-chlorophenyl-α-isopropylacetates are rapidly oxidized. The highly insecticidal α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl esters are least susceptible to metabolic attack due to both reduced esterase rates attributable to α substitution in the alcohol moiety and reduced oxidase rates for which no adequate explanation is currently available. Other structural modifications in the acid and alcohol moieties are less important in determining the metabolism rates. The substrate specificities of the microsomal esterases and oxidases are compared with in vivo pyrethroid structure-biodegradability relationships.     

3-芳基-4,5-二氢异噁唑-5-甲酸环戊烷多氢菲酯类衍生物的合成与杀虫活性

为了寻找具有较高杀虫活性的胆固醇衍生物,将异噁唑啉片段引入母体胆固醇( 1 )的C-3位,制备了20个新的3-芳基-4,5-二氢异噁唑-5-甲酸环戊烷多氢菲酯类衍生物 Ia~It ,并经氢谱、红外光谱和高分辨质谱确证结构。化合物 Ie (R = 3-BrPh) 对小菜蛾Plutella xyllostella幼虫具有较好的杀虫活性,其48 h LC₅₀值为 0.940 mg/mL,是母体胆固醇 (LC₅₀ 值2.566 mg/mL) 的2.7倍;化合物 Ig (R = 3-FPh) 和 Ij (R = 4-CF₃Ph) 对苹果黄蚜Aphis citricola具有较好的杀虫活性,其48 h LD₅₀值为0.042与0.041 μg/头,是胆固醇 (LD₅₀ 值0.228 μg/头) 的5.4和5.6倍。初步构效关系表明,在苯环间位引入溴原子可提高对小菜蛾的杀虫活性;在苯环对位或间位引入氟原子、或者在对位引入三氟甲基可提高对苹果黄蚜的杀虫活性。     

Phagodeterrent response of the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini to various pyrethroids and some of their cleavage products

Feeding-avoidance response of the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini to various insecticidal and acaricidal pyrethroids and some of their cleavage products was examined using a two-choice cellulose disc bioassay. The mites were able to detect extremely low quantities of certain pyrethroids, down to 1–5ng of pesticide applied to a cellulose disc weighing 200 mg. The phagodeterrent potency of the pyrethroids was found to be in the following decreasing order: fenvalerate > cypermethrin > deltamethrin > bioresmetnrin > pyrethrin > bifenthrin > cis-permethrin > trans-permethrin. Fenpropathrin, bioallethrin, flucythrinate and tetramethrin were stimulatory up to a level of 50 ng disc^?1. A 100-ng dose of fenpropathrin deterred the mites. Chemical and photochemical cleavage products of pyrethroids possessed phagodeterrent potencies comparable to those of the intact pesticides. 3-Phenoxybenzotc acid and cis-chrysanthemic acid were the most effective deterrents followed by dibromochrysanthemic acid and the cis and trans bifenthrin acid moiety. The probable relevance of the observed phagodeterrence by pyrethroid residues and their cleavage products, as related to induction of dispersal and eventual outbreaks of mites, is discussed.     

Insecticidal properties of monoterpenoid derivatives to the house fly (diptera: Muscidae) and red flour beetle (coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Monoterpenoid derivatives were synthesized and their insecticidal activities were evaluated against red flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), in fumigant bioassays and against house flies Musca domestica (L.) in topical, fumigant, and ovicidal bioassays. Acetate derivatives and haloacetate derivatives were compared with each other, and with the parent monoterpenoid to determine structure-activity relationships. Acetate derivatives were more active than the propionate derivatives of cyclic monoterpenoids in the topical, fumigant, and ovicidal bioassays. Pivalates were topically more insecticidal than acetates to adult house flies, while the acetates had the greater ovicidal activity. Acetates and pivalates were more effective than haloacetates in the topical, red flour beetle fumigation and ovicidal bioassays. Fluoroacetates of cyclic monoterpenoids were the most effective house fly fumigants, followed by acetates, and trichloroacetates. Several derivatives were produced that displayed enhanced activity relative to the parent alcohols or phenols.     

Metabolism of carbosulfan [2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl (di-n-butylaminothio)methylcarbamate] in the rat and house fly

The metabolism of carbosulfan, 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl (di-n-butylaminothio)-methylcarbamate, was studied in the rat and house fly. Carbosulfan was metabolized via at least two major pathways in the rat, by initial oxidation of the sulfur atom and by NS bond cleavage. The principal rat metabolites were the conjugated keto-phenol from the ring-labeled carbo-sulfan, carbon dioxide from the carbonyl-labeled carbosulfan, and dibutylamine from the dibutylamino-labeled carbosulfan. In house flies, carbosulfan was converted primarily into carbofuran and related oxidation products. The lower mammalian toxicity of carbosulfan compared to its insecticidal activity is explained on the basis of differences in routes and rates of metabolism of carbosulfan in mammals and insects.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activities of novel derivatives of podophyllotoxin: Part XII

In order to find the biorational pesticides, eight novel 4β-substituted phenoxyaniline derivatives of podophyllotoxin have been synthesized with significant stereoselectivity and improved yields by employing the BF₃·Et₂O/NaI reagent system and evaluated for their antifeedant effect against 5th instar larvae of Pieris rapae and effect on the development of 5th instar larvae of P. rapae as well as for insecticidal activity against P. rapae. The antifeedant activities showed that these compounds exhibited less potent than podophyllotoxin. Though these derivatives showed less potent antifeedant activities than podophyllotoxin, they acted as growth development inhibitor to 5th instar larvae of P. rapae, which were found that the animals treated with podophyllotoxin and its derivatives showed moulting disturbances and/or deformities. Also, the insecticidal activity results show that all of these derivatives of PPT showed delayed insecticidal activity, which differs from traditional neurotoxic insecticides. Among them, compounds possessing a 4β-phenoxyaniline moiety substituted (CO₂C₂H₅, Cl and OH) at para position exhibited greater insecticidal activity against P. rapae than podophyllotoxin.     

Structure—activity relationships in pyrethroid esters derived from substituted 2-phenoxy-3-methylbutanoic acids

Non-cyclopropane pyrethroid esters of different substituted 2-phenoxy-3-methylbutanoic acids have been synthesised using the three alcohols—3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol, α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and 3, 4-methylene-dioxybenzyl alcohol. Among the 35 esters synthesised and tested against Culex quinquefasciatus Say, the Bancroftian filariasis vector, for both larvicidal and adulticidal activities, α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbu-tanoate, with an LC₅₀ value of 2.5 × 10^?3 mg litre^?1 for larvicidal activity, and α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutanoate, with an LD₅₀ value of 30 times; 10^?4 ug insect^?1 for adulticidal activity, were found to be as effective as fenvalerate, a well-known non-cyclopropane pyrethroid ester. Structure-activity studies showed that the insecticidal activity is dependent on the nature and position of the substituent in the phenyl ring of the acid moiety and also on the type of alcohol moiety.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of benzoheterocyclic analogues of N'-benzoyl-N-(tert-butyl)benzohydrazide: Part 2. Introduction of substituents on the benzene rings of the benzoheterocycle moiety

A series of N'-benzoheterocyclecarbonyl-N-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethylbenzohydrazide analogues possessing a variety of substituents on the benzene rings of the benzoheterocyle moieties were synthesized and tested for their insecticidal activity. The introduction of a methyl group at the R1 position of the benzoheterocycle moiety strongly increased the insecticidal activity. Among the analogues synthesized, N'-tert-butyl-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-5-methyl-6-chromanecarbohydrazide showed the highest insecticidal activity (LC50 = 0.89 mg litre(-1)).     

Structure-activity relationships of pyrethroids based on direct action on nerve

The structure-activity relationships of 30 synthetic pyrethroids have been studied by measurements of their direct action on isolated crayfish nerve cord. The concentrations of pyrethroids used to increase the frequency of spontaneous discharges to 200% of the control (NS₂₀₀), those to decrease the frequency back to the control level, and those to further decrease the frequency to 10% of the control were measured as indexes of the nerve action. These values did not necessarily run parallel with those for the lethal dose 50 or the knock-down 50. Large differences in NS₂₀₀ were found among optical isomers of tetramethrin and phenothrin, and there was a synergism with respect to the nerve stimulating action between (+) and (?) forms of tetramethrin. (+)-trans-Permethrin was unique in that it exhibited a potent insecticidal action with a very weak nerve action. It is necessary to compare the direct action on the target site for the purpose of establishing the true structure-activity relationships of synthetic pyrethroids.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of new pyrethroids

BACKGROUND: Pyrethroids are among the most potent pesticides known, with great potential for structural variation with retention or enhancement of potency. The simple methyl ester is easier to prepare (at least one step shorter) than the more complex pyrethroids modified on the alcohol moiety. The objective was to synthesise methyl esters of pyrethroid acids containing an aromatic ring on the acid moiety and evaluate their biological activity against Ascia monuste orseis Latr., Tuta absoluta Meyrick, Periplaneta americana (L.), Musca domestica L. and Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.). RESULTS: The synthetic sequence required seven steps: protection of the hydroxyl groups of D ‐mannitol, diol oxidative cleavage with sodium metaperiodate, alkene formation by Wittig reaction with methoxycarbonylmethylidene(triphenyl)phosphorane, cyclopropanation, acetal hydrolysis with perchloric acid and oxidative cleavage with sodium metaperiodate gave methyl (1S, 3S)‐3‐formyl‐2,2‐dimethylcyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate. The final step comprised reaction of the aldehyde with five different aromatic phosphorus ylides to give the pyrethroids. CONCLUSION: An efficient and versatile synthesis of ten new pyrethroid methyl esters has been accomplished from the readily available D ‐mannitol in seven steps. All compounds showed insecticidal activity, and methyl (1S, 3S)‐3‐[(Z)‐2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)vinyl]‐2,2‐dimethylcyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate was the most active, killing 90% of A. monuste orseis and 100% of T. absoluta and P. americana. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Behavioural and electrophysiological investigation of 1-(7-ethoxygeranyl)-2-methylbenzimidazole on the house fly Musca domestica

The insecticidal properties of 1-(7-ethoxygeranyl)-2-methylbenzimidazole (EGMB) were investigated on larval and adult house flies. Unsynergised EGMB gave topical LD₅₀ values of 0.53 μg per female fly on NAIDM strain house flies. When flies were pretreated with 5.2 μg piperonyl butoxide, susceptibility was increased (LD₅₀ 0.12 μg per female fly). House fly larvae were less susceptible to EGMB (LD₅₀ 2.2 μg). Poisoning with EGMB resulted in a rapid reduction in locomotor activity of both larval and adult house flies. This reduction in locomotion was progressive and led to complete paralysis. Various parameters of larval nervous system function were investigated in larvae during these early phases of poisoning. As early as 15 min after dosing larvae with LD₉₅ doses of EGMB, sensory nerves were less responsive. Over a somewhat longer time (2–4 h), neurally evoked contractures were adversely affected by EGMB. In some cases, this effect appeared to be due to reduced postsynaptic potential amplitude; in other instances, it appeared to be due to an effect independent of neuromuscular transmission. The close temporal correlation between behavioural and electrophysiological observations suggests that the nervous and muscular systems are important sites of action of EGMB.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition by nootkatone and carvacrol in arthropods

The essential oils from many botanicals have been screened for insecticidal activity. Two constituents of the Alaskan yellow cedar tree, the monoterpenoid carvacrol and the sesquiterpenoid nootkatone, both are toxic against several arthropods. The mode of action through which nootkatone and carvacrol exert their insecticidal activity remains uncertain. It has been hypothesized that they may inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity. The degree of acetylcholinesterase inhibition of carvacrol and nootkatone was compared to that of carbaryl, a known acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, in the house fly (Musca domestica), yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). The concentration of carbaryl, at which 50% of the acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited (IC₅₀), was less than 2 μM in all four arthropod models. Carvacrol was observed to cause slight inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in house flies, ticks and cockroaches, but it did not inhibit the mosquito acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Nootkatone did not inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in any of the four arthropod models tested. From this study, we conclude that the acetylcholinesterase inhibition is not likely the primary mode of action for insecticidal activity by nootkatone or carvacrol.     

细交链孢菌酮酸及其衍生物的合成与杀虫活性

为了寻找具有较高杀虫活性的特胺酸化合物，以天然活性产物细交链孢菌酮酸(TeA)作为先导化合物，利用酰基化米氏酸作为酰基化试剂，设计、合成了26个3-位不同酰基取代和5-位不同取代的含特胺酸骨架衍生物 4a~4s、5a~5g、7a 和 8a ，其中14个化合物未见文献报道，所有目标化合物的结构均经核磁共振氢谱、碳谱和高分辨质谱确证。初步杀虫活性测定结果表明，在100 μg/mL下处理72 h内，所有目标化合物对麦长管蚜Macrosiphum avenae (Fabricius)均表现出良好的杀虫活性，并具有内吸性，其中化合物 5d 和 7a 48 h致死率为100%，高于对照药剂螺虫乙酯，具有作为先导化合物进一步研究的价值。对处理后的小麦植株进行残留量测定，结果表明目标化合物 4e、5c、7a 和 8a 能被植株较好的吸收 。 该研究结果可为进一步研究具有特胺酸骨架化合物的构效关系提供参考。     

棉铃虫对拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂抗性遗传力的分析

采用域性状分析法,估算了棉铃虫对氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯和溴氟菊酯的抗性现实遗传力,并对3种菊酯的抗性风险进行了评估。结果表明,棉铃虫对氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯和溴氟菊酯的抗性现实遗传力分别为0.2027、0.1554和0.1084。假设田间种群的抗性现实遗传力为估算值的一半,杀死率为80％,预计抗性增长到10倍时,氰戊菊酯可使用14次,三氟氯氰菊酯可使用19次,溴氟菊酯可使用31次。三氟氯氰菊酯和溴氟菊酯的抗性风险明显低于氰戊菊酯;棉铃虫对含氟菊酯的抗性发展速度明显低于不含氟的菊酯。试验结果为实际应用提供了理论依据。     

β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of pyrethroids

Pyrethroids are more stable to practical conditions when included in β-cyclodextrin, particularly because photodecomposition is reduced. Though inclusion sometimes decreases the contact insecticidal activity, the innate activity is regenerated under conditions which release the free pyrethroids. Stabilised dust and wettable powder formulations of natural pyrethrins show promising insecticidal effects to certain pest insects.     

A new pyrethroid of high insecticidal activity

New pyrethroids containing heterocyclic rings in the alcohol moieties were synthesised and their insecticidal activities were studied. Of these new pyrethroids, 3-benzylpyrrol-1-ylmethyl (1RS-cis, trans-3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate was found to be the most effective, having higher activity than permethrin against Musca domestica by a topical application method. In addition, para-substituted analogues of the 3-benzylpyrrol-1-ylmethyl ester were also synthesised to study the substituent effects on insecticidal activities; the residual effects of these compounds against Blattella germanica were also examined.