Polyenylcyclopropane carboxylic esters with high insecticidal activity

Claudia Ferroni, Lucio Bassetti, Valerio Borzatta, Elisa Capparella, Carlotta Gobbi, Alberto Guerrini, Greta Varchi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    7 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of naturally occurring pyrethrum. These molecules are widely used in agriculture for ant, fly and mosquito control and for lawn and garden care. Pyrethroids are the optically active esters of 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylpropenyl)-cyclopropane carboxylic acid, also known as chrysanthemic acid. However, their intense use has resulted in the development of resistance in many insect species. Herein, specific structural modifications of the pyrethroid scaffold and their effect on insecticidal activity, especially on resistant pests strains, are reported. RESULTS: The exposure to (1R)-trans-(E/Z)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl-3-(buta-1,3-dienyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropanecarboxylate and its diastereomers produced 100% mortality in yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti), house mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus) and houseflies (Musca domestica). Moreover, this compound provided complete knockdown within 15min of exposure against cockroaches (Blattella germanica) and maintained an excellent knockdown activity at 10 days after treatment. CONCLUSION: Novel pyrethroid derivatives obtained from 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylpropenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid are described. These derivatives display high insecticidal activity, a wide spectrum of action and no toxicity towards mammalians. The proposed synthetic procedures are highly efficient and inexpensive, and therefore suitable for industrial scale-up.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)728-736
    Number of pages9
    JournalPest Management Science
    Volume71
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    StatePublished - May 1 2015

    Keywords

    • Blattella germanica
    • Ethyl chrysanthemate
    • Insecticidal activity
    • Pyrethroids
    • Resistance

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Agronomy and Crop Science
    • Insect Science

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Polyenylcyclopropane carboxylic esters with high insecticidal activity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this