Novel pyrethrin derivatives containing an 1,3,4-oxadiazole thioether moiety: Design,synthesis, and insecticidal activity

In this study, a series of novel pyrethrin derivatives containing an 1,3,4-oxadiazole thioether moiety were designed and synthesized. Bioassay results revealed that some of the target compounds possessed excellent insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella (P. xylostella), Vegetable aphids (V. aphids), and Empoasca vitis (E. vitis), respectively. In particular, compound 4l revealed the best insecticidal activities against P. xylostella and V. aphids, with the 50% lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of 1.78 and 1.61 mg/L, respectively, meanwhile, compound 4k revealed the best insecticidal activity against E. vitis, with the LC₅₀ value of 1.06 mg/L, which were superior to those of the commercial insecticidal agents of chlorpyrifos, beta cypermethrin, spinosad, and azadirachtin. These results indicated that novel pyrethrin derivatives containing an 1,3,4-oxadiazole thioether moiety could effectively inhibit P. xylostella, V. aphids, and E. vitis.