2-arylalkanoates, a new group of synthetic pyrethroid esters not containing cyclopropanecarboxylates†

TLDR: Five new substituted 2-phenylalkanoates, whose biological activities are of a similar nature and potency to those of conventional pyrethroids, are reported and compare favourably with typical insecticides in tests against Musca domestica, Spodoptera litura and Plutella xylostella.

Abstract: Although structure modifications of natural pyrethrin constituents have disclosed a variety of potent synthetic analogues, all known examples are cyclopropanecarboxylate esters, a grouping that appeared to be essential for insecticidal activity Some new substituted 2-phenylalkanoates, whose biological activities are of a similar nature and potency to those of conventional pyrethroids, are now reported 5-Benzyl-3-furylmethyl and 3-phenoxybenzyl 3-methyl-2-phenylbutyrates and their analogues are potent insecticides Activity is increased on the introduction of appropriate groups into the 3 and/or 4-positions of the aryl ring and the (S)-2-phenylalkanoates are far more active than their (R)-enantiomorphs Structure/activity relationships are compared with those for conventional pyrethroids Some of the new series compare favourably with typical insecticides in tests against Musca domestica, Spodoptera litura and Plutella xylostella