Biological activity of some new geraniol‐based diethers on insect pest and vectors

Abstract

AbstractA series of 1‐benzyloxy‐ or 1‐phenoxy‐8‐alkoxy‐ and 1‐alkoxy‐8‐benzyloxy‐ or ‐8‐phenoxy‐3, 7‐dimethyl‐2, 6‐octadienes were prepared from 8‐hydroxygeranyl ethers obtained by oxidation of geranyl ethers. The effects of these new diethers on the development of mosquito eggs and larvae were examined. High hatching failure resulted from treatment of eggs. Freshly hatched as well as later larval instars also died. Juvenile hormone activity was inferred from metamorphic inhibition of hatched red cotton stainers. Oviposition deterrence against mosquitoes was a novel attribute of these compounds. The level of highest activity (1 mg litre‐1), though not comparable to the best known similar growth inhibitors, is nevertheless sufficient to merit continuing work on the more promising analogues suggested by the structure‐activity trends in the present series.