Background: Alpha-asarone (2,4,5-trimethoxypropenylbenzene) derivatives represent a new series of compounds that possess good antifeedant activity against different stored-product pests.
Results: A total of 23 novel alpha-asarone derivatives were synthesised and identified by (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR and IR, and their feeding deterrent activities were tested against Sitophilus granarius L., Trogoderma granarium Ev. and Tribolium confusum Duv. Ten compounds showed strong antifeedant activities.
Conclusion: Some of the title compounds displayed very good and broad-spectrum activities against adult and larval Coleoptera. The results indicate that the presence of a double bond in the side chain and three methoxy groups is important for antifeedant activity.
Keywords: alpha-asarone derivatives; antifeedant activity; stored-product pests; synthesis.
© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.