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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #302496
Title: Synthesis of the insecticide prothrin and its analogues from biomass-derived 5-(Chloromethyl) furfural

Author
item CHANG, FEI - University Of California
item DUTTA, SAIKAT - University Of California
item Becnel, James
item ESTEP, ALDEN - Us Navy
item MASCAL, MARK - University Of California

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/19/2013
Publication Date: 12/19/2013
Citation: Chang, F., Dutta, S., Becnel, J.J., Estep, A., Mascal, M. 2013. Synthesis of the insecticide prothrin and its analogues from biomass-derived 5-(Chloromethyl) furfural. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 62:476-480.

Interpretive Summary: Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue and yellow fever both of which have become major international public health concerns. Insecticides remain a major component of integrated programs to control this medically important pest. In this collaborative study, two new chemical compounds were tested against adult Ae. aegypti to determine activity. Both compounds resulted in high mortality and provide new tools for vector control.

Technical Abstract: Prothrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was synthesized from the biomass-derived platform chemical 5 (chloromethyl)furfural in six steps and overall 65% yield. Two structural analogues of prothrin were also prepared following the same synthetic approach. Preliminary testing of these furan-based pyrethroids against the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti indicates promising insecticidal activities.