EP0120037A1

EP0120037A1 - Arthropodicidal compounds

Info

Publication number: EP0120037A1
Application number: EP83902885A
Authority: EP
Inventors: George Holan; Wynona Margaret Phillips Johnson; Kurt Rihs; Reimund August Walser
Original assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSIRO
Current assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSIRO
Priority date: 1982-09-24
Filing date: 1983-09-23
Publication date: 1984-10-03
Also published as: ZA837096B; WO1984001147A1; IL69796A; EP0104908B1; NZ205741A; EP0104908A1; JPS59501982A; DE3382089D1

Abstract

Composés déployant une activité arthropodicide, de formule générale (I), où R1 est un groupe halo ou un groupe alkylthio inférieur ou alkyle inférieur ou alkoxy inférieur, dans chacun desquels le groupe alkyle peut être substitué par un ou plusieurs groupes halo; R2 représente de l'hydrogène ou un groupe halo ou halométhyl, ou bien R1 et R2 forment ensemble un méthylène dioxy, ou un groupe difluoro-méthylène dioxy, ou bien R1 et R2 forment avec les atomes de carbone auxquels ils sont liés un cycle aromatique; R3 représente de l'hydrogène ou un groupe halo; A représente le groupe X ou le groupe Y, où X1 et X2 sont identiques ou différents et chacun représente un groupe fluoro, chloro, bromo ou méthyle, et Y1, Y2, Y3 et Y4 sont identiques ou différents et représentent chacun de l'hydrogène ou un groupe fluoro, bromo, chloro ou méthyle; A1 représente CH2, CF2, CCl2, O, S, SO, NH ou NZ où Z représente un groupe halo ou (II), où V1, V2 et V3 sont identiques ou différents et représentent chacun du fluore, du chlore ou de l'hydrogène; R4 représente de l'hydrogène, du chlore ou du fluor et R5 représente de l'hydrogène, du chlore ou du fluor, ou bien R4 et R5 forment ensemble = O lorsque A1 est égal à CH2; et R6 représente de l'hydrogène, du deutérium, CN, ou C = CH; et R7 représente du 3-phénoxyphényl, du 2-phénoxy-6-pyridil, du 2-phénoxy-3-fluoro-6-pyridil, du pentafluorophényl, du 4-fluoro-3-phénoxyphényl, du N-pyrollyl-3-benzyle, du phényl de 3,4-méthylène-dioxy ou du 3-(4-méthoxyphénoxy)-phényl; R8 représente de l'hydrogène ou du deutérium.Compounds displaying arthropodicidal activity, of general formula (I), wherein R1 is a halo group or a lower alkylthio or lower alkyl or lower alkoxy group, in each of which the alkyl group may be substituted by one or more halo groups; R2 represents hydrogen or a halo or halomethyl group, or else R1 and R2 together form a methylene dioxy, or a difluoro-methylene dioxy group, or else R1 and R2 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an aromatic ring ; R3 represents hydrogen or a halo group; A represents group X or group Y, where X1 and X2 are the same or different and each represents a fluoro, chloro, bromo or methyl group, and Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen or a fluoro, bromo, chloro or methyl group; A1 represents CH2, CF2, CCl2, O, S, SO, NH or NZ where Z represents a halo group or (II), where V1, V2 and V3 are the same or different and each represent fluorine, chlorine or hydrogen; R4 represents hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine and R5 represents hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine, or R4 and R5 together form = O when A1 is equal to CH2; and R6 represents hydrogen, deuterium, CN, or C = CH; and R7 represents 3-phenoxyphenyl, 2-phenoxy-6-pyridil, 2-phenoxy-3-fluoro-6-pyridil, pentafluorophenyl, 4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl, N-pyrollyl-3-benzyl , 3,4-methylene-dioxy phenyl or 3- (4-methoxyphenoxy) -phenyl; R8 represents hydrogen or deuterium.

Description

ARTHROPODICIDAL COMPOUNDS

This invention relates to new compounds having arthropodicidal activity, to methods of preparing these compounds and to the use of the compounds as arthropodicides, especially as insecticides and acaricides.

The compounds provided by this invention have the general formula (I) :

wherein R¹ is a halo group; or a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or lower alkylthio group, in each of which the alkyl group may be substituted with one or more halo groups;

R² is hydrogen or a halo or halomethyl group; or R¹ and R² together form a methylenedioxy, or a difluoro-methylenedxoxy group or, R¹ and R² together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form an aromatic ring; R³ is hydrogen or a halo group; A is one of the groups X or Y

wherein X¹ and X² are the same or different and each is a fluoro, chloro, bromo or methyl group, and Y¹, Y² , Y³ and Y⁴ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or a fluoro, bromo, chloro, or methyl group;

A¹ is CH₂, CF₂, CCl₂, O, S SO, NH or NZ

where Z is a halo group or where V¹ , V² , V³ are the same or different and each is fluorine, chlorine or hydrogen; R⁴ is hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine; and R⁵ is hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine; or

R⁴ and R⁵ together form =O when A¹ is CH₂ ; and R⁶ is hydrogen, deuterium, CN, or C=CH; and R⁷ is 3-phenoxyphenyl, 2-phenoxy-6-pyridyl,

2-phenoxy-3-fluoro-6-pyridyl, pentafluorophenyl,

4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl, N-pyrollyl-3-benzyl, 3 ,4-methylene-dioxy phenyl; or 3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)- phenyl; Bull and Searle in British patent 1,570,982 disclose inter alia insecticidal compounds of the structure (using the notation of formula (I)

which are similar to the compounds of this invention where R⁴ = R⁵ = H, R⁶ = H, CN or C = CH, R⁷ = 3-phenoxyphenyl or 3-(4-methoxyphenoxy) phenyl, A = O or S and A is optionally substituted cycloalkyl. The major difference between these compounds and the present compounds is that they have a hydrogen or alkyl group attached to the group A instead of the substituted phenyl group

The same British Patent also discloses compounds of the structure:

R⁸ is hydrogen or deuterium.

As used herein "halo" means fluoro, chloro or bromo; "lower" implies alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Alkyl groups having more than 2 carbon atoms may be straight or branched.

Preferred compounds are those in which A¹ is O, S,

SO, NH or NZ and those in which A¹ is CH₂ and R⁴ and R⁵ form =O.

Related prior art compounds disclosed in our Australian Patent No. 502,950 and Australian Patent

Application Nos. 42723/78 and 53362/79, are esters of acids of the general formula (II)

wherein A, R¹ and R² are essentially as defined above with one of the following alcohols :-

3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol

2-benzyl-4-furylmethanol α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol

3 ,4-methylenedioxybenzyl alcohol α-ethynyl-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol α-cyano-3-(4-chlorophenoxy) benzyl alcohol which differ from the present compounds in that the cyclic group A is replaced by an isopropylmethylene group.

Bull and Searle in U.S. patent 4,073,812 claim very similar compounds in which the A group is a methylene group substituted with a branched chain alkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms and R⁷ is 3-phenoxyphenyl or

2,3-(fluorine substituted phenoxy) phenyl.

Japanese Patent application 56-154427 by Mitsui Toatsu Kagaku K.K. covers compounds of formula (V)

where R⁶ = H and R⁷ is 3-phenoxybenzyl, R is methyl or ethyl, and R¹ is halogen or lower alkyl.

These compounds are similar to the previously discussed compounds of Bull and Searle. In this case the cyclic group A has been replaced by C(CH₃)₂ or C(CH₃) (C₂H₅) to produce quite different compounds to those of the present application.

U.S. Patent 4,218,468 to Mobil discloses ketone compounds where the A group of the present compounds is replaced by an isopropylmethylene group, R⁴ , R⁵ together form a carbonyl oxygen and A¹ is CH₂ , i.e., the compounds have the structure (VI) .

It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the obvious structural differences between the prior art compounds (formulae (II) to (VI) and those of the present invention (formula (I) ) will give rise to significant differences in insecticidal properties , both in level of activity in individual insect species and in the spectrum of activity against various species. Such differences, however, are not readily predictable either as to magnitude or sign.

The compounds of the invention (formula (I)) are optically active and can be resolved into their optical isomers by conventional methods. The invention thus includes the individual optical isomers of the compounds as well as the racemic forms.

The compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by the conventional methods of synthetic organic chemistry.

In general, the compounds are formed by reacting together compounds of the formulae (VIII) and (IX)

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and A are as defined above and wherein P and Q are reactive atoms or groups, often referred to as "leaving groups", selected so that on reaction they give rise to the desired group A¹ or to another group which is convertible to that desired group.

By way of illustration, the compounds (I) having the A¹ groups listed below may be formed from the compounds (VIII) and (IX) having the indicated substituents P and Q. The groups indicated for P and Q could equally well be interchanged i.e. P = Br, Q = OH to give A' = -O-.

(1) Compounds wherein A¹ is -SO- can be prepared by oxidation of the corresponding thioether (A =-S-). (2) Compounds wherein A¹ is NZ are produced by reacting the amine with the halogen ZHal, where Hal is Cl, Br or I. (3) The ketone (A = -CO-) is a valuable intermediate for production of the compounds of the invention. Compounds where A = -CH₂- are produced by reduction of the ketone, e.g. , with dissolving metal. Compounds where A = -CCl₂- or -CF₂- are produced by reacting the ketone with the appropriate chlorinating or fluorinating reagents, e.g., phosphorus pentachloride or diethylamine sulphur trifluoride, respectively.

The general method of the invention as stated above is illustrated by the following embodiments, which are representative of the methods which may be used for preparation of the compounds of the invention. It will be appreciated that the solvents, reagents, reaction conditions, work-up procedures and other reaction parameters specifically mentioned may be replaced by their known equivalents.

General Method A

Preparation of ethers and sulphides (A¹ = -O- or -S-)

To a suspension of sodium hydride (1 mmol) in anhydrous dimethoxyethane (DME) (1 ml) was added dropwise a solution of 1 mmol of the required 1-aryl-cycloalkyl-l-methyl carbinol or mercaptan (Formula VIII; P = -OH or -SH) in anhydrous DME (1 ml). This reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 0.75 hours. At the end of this time, a solution of 1 mmol of the required bromide (Formula IX; Q = Br) in anhydrous DME (0.5 ml) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature until thin layer chromatography indicated no starting material remained. The reaction mixture was then filtered, the filtrate concentrated and the residue chromatographed on silica gel using petroleum spirit (40-60°)/ethyl acetate mixtures as the eluting solvents.

Examples of compounds prepared by this method were: 3'-phenoxybenzyl 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl-1-methyl ether.

3'-Phenoxybenzyl 1- (4-ethoxyphenyl)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl-1-methyl sulphide.

General Method B

Preparation of α-cyano sulphides (A¹ =-S-, R⁶= -CN)

In an atmosphere of argon the 1-aryl-1-cycloalkyl methyl mercaptan (Formula VIII; P = -SH) (1.0 mmol) was diluted with acetone (1 ml) . To this solution with stirring, triethylamine (0.1 g) was added followed by α-bromo-3-phenoxy benzonitrile (1 mmol) which was added dropwise with stirring. After the initial exothermic reaction subsided the reaction mixture was stirred for an additional 16 hours. It was then diluted with diethyl ether (10 ml) and the precipitate of amine hydrobromide filtered off and washed with additional ether.

The ether filtrates were evaporated and the residual oil purified by HPLC using 5:95 ethyl acetate/pet. ether (60°-40°) as the eluent. Example; α-cyano-3'phenoxybenzyl 1-(4-ethoxyρhenyl)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl-1-methyl sulphide.

General Method C

Preparation of Sulphoxides (A' - -SO-)

The sulphoxide was formed by oxidation of the sulphide (prepared according to Method A) by conventional methods using either 3-chloroperbenzoic acid or hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid oxidants.

Example: 3'-phenoxybenzyl 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl 1-methyl-sulphoxide. Melting point 105.4°c. General Method D

Preparation of aralkyl 1-aryl-halocycloalkyl- 1-carboxamides (A' = -NH; CR⁴R⁵ = -CO-)

To a 2-necked round bottom flask under N₂ was added a 20% (w/w) suspension of potassium hydride (2.2 mmol) in oil. The oil was removed by washing 3 times with petroleum spirit (30-40°). The residual petroleum spirit was removed in vacuo and under dry N₂ the powdered potassium hydride was resuspended in dry tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) and cooled to 0°. At 0.5°C the

1-aryl-halocycloalkyl-1-carboxamide (Formula VIII; CR⁴R⁵P = -CONH₂) (2 mmol) was added in small portions over 10 minutes. To the now clear solution 18-crown-6

(3 mg) was added, followed by the solution of the aralkylhalide (Formula IX; Q = Hal) (2.2 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (2 ml) . The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and under reflux for a further 16 hours. After cooling to room temperature the resulting suspension was filtered, washed with dry ether (10 ml) and the combined filtrates evaporated to dryness. The crude product was chromatographed over a short silica gel column using dichloromethane as the eluent.

Example: 3'-phenoxybenzyl 1-(4-ethoxy-phenyl)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl-1-carboxamide. The resulting product was recrystallized from dichloromethane-petrpleum spirit (40-60°) and recovered as a white solid in 67.4% yield, m.p. 89.1°C. General Method E

Preparation of aralkyl 1-aryl-halocycloalkylmethyl amines (A¹ = -NH-; CR⁴R⁵ = -CH₂-)

To a cold (0°C) , stirred solution of diborane (2 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (2 ml), under dry nitrogen, aralkyl-1-aryl-halocycloalkyl-1-carboxamide (0.5 mmol) was added. (Formula I; CR⁴R⁵ P = -CONH₂).

The mixture was heated and stirred under reflux for 1 hour and at room temperature for an additional 16 hours. To the reaction mixture aqueous hydrochloric acid (2 ml) was added and most of the tetrahydrofuran removed by distillation. The residue was quenched with ice (50 g) and made basic with sodium hydroxide. After extraction with diethylether the combined ether extracts were washed with distilled water and NaCl solution. After separation the solvent layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. Filtration and removal of the solvent in vacuo gave the product as an oil in >90% yield. Example: 3'-phenoxybenzyl 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyImethylamine:

A sample was purified by prep. HPLC on a silica gel column using 5% ethylacetate in dichloromethane as the eluent. A faint yellow oil was recovered in 57% yield.

General Method F

Preparation of α-cyanoamines (A¹= -NH-, R⁶ = -CN)

Under cover of nitrogen, 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (238 mg, 1.2 mmol) was added under stirring to the appropriate amine (Formula VIII; A¹ = NH₂) (0-95 mmol) dry potassium cyanide (77 mg, 1.2 mmol), glacial acetic acid (0.069 ml, 1.2 mmol) and dry methanol (3 mis). The reaction mixture was stirred for 48 hours at room temperature.

After this period of time, the methanol was recovered in vacuo and sodium hydroxide (10% solution) was added until the reaction mixture was strongly alkaline. The aqueous mixture was extracted (4x) with dichloromethane (5 mis). The dichloromethane extracts were combined, washed with water and brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed in vacuo.

The product was passed through a short silica gel column to remove some of the remaining aldehyde.

The product was then purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography on silica gel using 15% ethylacetate/petroleum ether (b.p. 40-60°).

Example: α-cyano-3'-phenoxybenzyl 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)- 2,2-difluorocyclopropyl-1-methylamine.

General Method G

Preparation of tertiary amines (A¹ = -NZ-)

Under nitrogen atmosphere formic acid (0.15 ml, 4.0 mmol) was added to the secondary amine (0.735 mmol) (e.g. Formula VIII; P = -NHCH₃). Formaldehyde (0.14 ml, 5.0 mmol) was then added to this reaction mixture. This was treated to 90°C for 5 hours and then at room temperature for 14 hours. Sodium hydroxide (10% solution) was then added until the reaction mixture was alkaline. The aqueous mixture was extracted with diethyl ether (6 x 6 ml). The diethyl ether extracts were combined, washed with water and sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed in vacuo.

The resultant oil was then purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography on silica gel column using ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (b.p. 40-60°C) (20:80) to obtain pure product amine.

Example: 3'-phenoxybenzyl 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2,2-difluorocyclopropyl dimethylamine.

General Method H

Preparation of Aryl-1-Arylcycloalkyl-1-propan-1-ones (A¹ = -CH₂-; R⁴+R⁵ = =O)

To aryl-ethylbromomagnesium bromide (Formula IX; Q = MgBr) (5 mmol) in ether (10 ml), cadmium chloride (2.75 mmol) was added over 5 minutes at 5°C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour while warming to room temperature. The ether was replaced by distillation with dry benzene and cooled in ice. To this solution the corresponding 1-aryl-1-cycloalkyl acid chloride (Formula VIII; CR⁴R⁵P = -COCl) (5 mmol) dissolved in dry benzene (10 ml) was added at once. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature over 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then quenched in dilute HCl and the organic layer washed subsequently with water, NaHCO₃ solution and again with water. After drying with anhydrous Na₂SO₄ the solvent was evaporated. The residual oil was chromatographed on an HPLC silica gel column using pet. ether (60°-80°)/CH₂Cl₂/diethyl ether (33.3:33.3:33.3) as eluents to give the 1-propanone.

Example: 3-(3-phenoxyphenyl-1-[1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2,2,3,3- tetrafluorocyclobutyl]-propan-1-one.

The active compounds of the invention are well tolerated by plants, have a favourable level of toxicity to warm-blooded animals, and can be used for combating arthropod pests, especially insects or acarids, which are encountered in agriculture, in veterinary practice, in forestry, in the protection of stored products and of materials, and in the hygiene field. They are active against normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or some stages of development. The abovementioned pests include Lucilia cuprina (the Australian sheep blowfly), Blatella germanica (German cockroach), Periplaneta americana (American cockroach) and Heliothis punctigera (cotton budworm).

The present invention also provides arthropodicial compositions containing as active ingredients a compound of the present invention.

The present invention also provides a method of combating arthropods (especially insects or acarids) which comprises applying to the arthropods, or to a habitat thereof, a compound of the present invention alone or in the form of a composition containing as active ingredient a compound of the present invention. The present invention also provides a method of freeing or protecting domesticated animals from parasitical insects or acarids which comprises applying to said animals a compound according to the present invention, or a composition containing such a compound as the active ingredient.

In the compositions of this invention, the active compounds are converted into such customary formulations as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, dusting agents, foams, pastes, soluble powders, granules, aerosols, suspension-emulsion concentrates, seed-treatment powders, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compound, very fine capsules in polymeric substances, and coating compositions for use on seed, as well as ULV cold mist and warm mist formulations.

These formulations may be produced in known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, i.e., liquid or liquefied gaseous or solid diluents or carriers, optionally with the use of surface-active agents, i.e., emulsifying agents and/or dispersing agents and/or foam-forming agents. Where water is used as an extender, auxiliary solvents, such as for example, organic solvents, can also be used.

Examples of suitable liquid diluents or carriers, especially solvents, are aromatic hydrocarbons, such as xylene, toluene or alkyl naphthalenes, chlorinated aromatic or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride; aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions; alcohols, such as butanol or glycol, as well as their ethers; and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone; and strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, as well as water.

By liquefied gaseous diluents or carriers are meant liquids which would be gaseous at normal temperature and under normal pressure, for example aerosol propellants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons as well as butane, propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Examples of solid carriers are ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth; and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly-dispersed silicic acid, alumina and silicates. As solid carriers for granules there may be used crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite; as well as synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks.

Examples of emulsifying and/or foam-forming agents are non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene-fatty acid esters, polyoxy ethylene-fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkyl sulphonates, alkyl sulphates, aryl sulphonates, as well as albumin hydrolysis products. Dispersing agents include, for example, lignin sulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose. Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, can be used in the formulations.

It is also possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs or metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs.

The formulations in general will contain from 0.1 to 95 per cent by weight of active compound, preferably from 0.5 to 90 per cent by weight.

The active compounds according to the invention may be used in the form of formulations of the types that are commercially available or in the use forms prepared from these formulations.

The active compound content of the use forms prepared from the formulations of the types that are commercially available can vary within wide ranges.

The active compound concentration of the use forms can be from 0.0000001 to 100% by weight of active compound, preferably from 0.0001 to 10% by weight.

The compounds may be employed in a customary manner appropriate for the particular use forms.

The active compounds according to the invention are also suitable for combating ectoparasites and endoparasites in the field of veterinary medicine. The compounds may be used in a known manner, such as orally in the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, drenches and granules; dermally by means of, for example, dipping, spraying, pouring-on, spotting-on and powdering.

The compounds may be employed either as the sole toxic agent in compositions such as those described above, or in combination with other insecticides such as pyrethrum, rotenone, or with fungicidal or bactericidal agents, to provide compositions useful for household and agricultural dusts and sprays, textile coating and impregnation, and the like.

In particular, the compounds of the invention may be advantageously combined with other substances which have a synergistic or potentiating action. Generally such substances are of the class of microsomal oxidase inhibitors, i.e., they inhibit the detoxification of insecticides in insects produced by the action of oxidative enzymes. Typical substances of this type are the pyrethrin synergists of which the following are examples:-

[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-4,5-methylenedioxy-2-propyltoluene (Piperonyl butoxide), 3-hexyl-5(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-cyclohexanone (Piperonyl cyclonene), 2-(3,4-methylenedioxy-phenoxy)-3,6,9-trioxaundecane (Sesoxane or Sesamex), 1,2-(methylenedioxy)-4-[2-(octylsulfinyl)ρropyl]benzene (Sulfoxide), dipropyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-7-methylnaphtho-[2,3-d], 3-dioxole-5,6-dicarboxylate (n-Propyl isome), as well as propynyl ethers and propynyl oximes. ("Sesoxane", "Sesamex" and "Sulphoxide" are Registered Trade Marks).

Piperonyl butoxide is particularly useful as a potentiator. The amount of piperonyl butoxide used may vary from 1/100th to fifty times the weight of the compound I the preferred range being from about 1/100th to five parts by weight. 'Sesamex' also is a useful potentiator in similar amounts.

The preparation and properties of the compounds of the invention are illustrated by the following specific examples. It should be noted, of course, that these examples are intended to be illustrative of the methods and procedures utilized in preparing the compounds and that they are not intended to be restrictive or to be regarded as embodying the only way in which the compounds can be formed and recovered.

Examples of formulations in accordance with the invention are as follows: (parts are by weight):

Dusts

The following substances are used to produce (a) a 5% dust and (b) a 2% dust:

(a) 5 parts of active substance, 95 parts of talcum;

(b) 2 parts of active substance,

1 part of highly dispersed silicic acid, 97 parts of talcum. The active substance is mixed and ground with the carriers.

Granulates

The following ingredients are used to produce a 5% granulate :

5 parts of active substance,

0.25 part of epichlorohydrin,

0.25 parts of cetyl polyglycol ether,

3.50 parts of polyethylene glycol,

91 parts of kaolin

The active substance is mixed with epichlorohydrin and dissolved with 6 parts of acetone, the polyethylene glycol and cetyl polyglycol ether are then added. The solution obtained is sprayed onto kaolin and the acetone is evaporated off in vacuo.

Wettable powders

The following constituents are used to produce (a) a 40%, (b) and (c) a 25%, and (d) a 10% wettable powder:

(a) 40 parts of active substance,

5 parts of sodium lignin sulphonate, 1 part of sodium dibutyl-naphthalene sulphonate, 54 parts of silicic acid;

(b) 25 parts of active substance,

4.5 parts of calcium lignin sulphonate. 1.9 parts of chalk/hydroxyethyl cellulose mixture (1:1), 1.5 parts of sodium dibutyl-naphthalene sulphonate, 19.5 parts of silicic acid,

19.5 parts of chalk, 28.1 parts of kaolin;

(c) 25 parts of active substance,

2.5 parts of isooctylphenoxy-polyoxyethylene ethanol,

1.7 parts of chalk/hydroxyethyl cellulose mixture (1:1),

8.3 parts of sodium aluminium silicate,

16.5 parts of keiselguhr, 46 parts of kaolin;

(d) 10 parts of active substance,

3 parts of a mixture of the sodium salts of saturated fatty alcohol sulphates, 5 parts of naphthalenesulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensate,

82 parts of kaolin.

The active substance is intimately mixed in suitable mixers with the additives, and the mixture is then ground in the appropriate mills and rollers to obtain wettable powders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of the desired concentration. Emulsifiable Concentrates

The following substances are used to produce (a) a 10%, (b) a 25%, and (c) a 50% emulsifiable concentrate:

(a) 10 parts of active substance,

3.4 parts of epoxidised vegetable oil,

3.4 parts of a combination emulsifier consisting of fatty alcohol polyglycol ether and alkylarylsulphonate calcium salt,

40 parts of dimethylformamide,

43.2 parts of xylene;

(b) 25 parts of active substance,

2.5 parts of epoxidised vegetable oil, 10 parts of alkylarylsulphonate/fatty alcohol polyglycol ether mixture, 5 parts of dimethylformamide, 57.5 parts of xylene;

(c) 50 parts of active substance, 4.2 parts of tributylphenol-polyglycol ether,

5.8 parts of calcium-dodecylbenzenesulphonate, 20 parts of cyclohexanone, 20 parts of xylene.

Emulsions of the required concentration can be prepared from these concentrates by dilution with water. Sprays

The following constituents are used to produce (a) a 5% spray, (b) a 95% spray, and (c) a synergised 4% spray. (a) 5 parts of active substance, 1 part of epichlorohydrin, 94 parts of ligroin (boiling limits 160°-190°C);

(b) 95 parts of active substance, 5 parts of epichlorohydrin;

(c) 4 parts of active substance, 1 part of piperonyl butoxide, 79 parts of deodorised kerosene, 16 parts of alkylated naphthalene.

The invention is further illustrated by the following Examples.

EXAMPLES 1 - 18 Preparation of Compounds

The compounds shown in Table 1 were prepared using the appropriate General Method (A through H) as described above.

Table 1A gives analytical data for the compounds. In Table 1B, the nmr resonances are identified as follows:

(i) Hydrogen atoms at C₃ of cyclopropyl ring (X) or C₄ of cyclobutyl ring (Y). (ii) R⁴, R⁵ = H.

(iii) R⁶ = H.

The arthropodicidal activities of the compounds were determined according to the following Examples 19 - 21.

EXAMPLE 19

Insecticidal activity was investigated against blowfly, Lucilia cuprina. The method used was as follows:-

(a) The compounds were tested for activity against a dieldrin susceptible strain (BLL) which had been collected before dieldrin usage in the field.

The test compound was applied in acetone solution, 0.5 μl dispensed with a Drummond micropipette to the dorsum of the thorax of 2-3 day old females. Adult flies were fed on water and sugar-only and maintained at 25ºC and 60-70% RH. The mortalities were determined after 24 hours. Moribund flies were regarded as dead. The LD₅₀ values, in terms of concentration, were interpolated from the probit/log dose relation using a computer program.

The results given in Table 2 are expressed in terms of the Potency Index which is the ratio LD₅₀ Permethrin/LD₅₀ Test Compound.

(b) Potentiation

The compound was also tested on the insects described above in conjunction with the potentiator piperonyl butoxide by pretreating each insect with 1 μl of a 2% solution of the potentiator in acetone. The mortalities were counted at 48 hours after treatment and compared with acetone and acetone/potentiator controls.

The LD₅₀ values were determined as described above and converted to Potency Index values.

About the same levels of potentiation were obtained when piperonyl butoxide was replaced by an equal amount of "Sesoxane".

The results are shown in Table 2.

EXAMPLE 20

Insecticidal activity against the German cockroach (Blatella germanica) was determined using the following method:

The compound under test was applied in acetone solution at a range of concentrations. 0.5 μl was dispensed with a Drummond micropipette to the ventral thorax of adult cockroaches. The mortalities were determined after 48 hours. Moribund cockroaches were regarded as dead. The LD₅₀ values in terms of concentration were determined by probit analysis of the mortality/concentration data and converted to Potency Index values.

The results are shown in Table 2. EXAMPLE 21

Insecticidal activity against the cotton pest Heliothis punctigera was determined using the following method:

The compound under test was applied in acetone solution at a range of concentrations. 0.5 μl was dispensed with a Drummond micropipette to the dorsal surface of 3rd instar larvae. Each larva was held in a separate container and was fed on spinach and maintained at 25°C and 60-70% RH. The mortalities were determined after 48 hours. Moribund larvae were regarded as dead. The LD₅₀ values in terms of concentration were determined by a probit analysis of the mortality/concentration data and converted to Potency Index values.

The results are given in Table 2.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. Compounds of the general formula (I) and their isomeric forms :

wherein

R¹ is a halo group; or a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or lower alkylthio group, in each of which the alkyl group may be substituted with one or more halo groups; R² is hydrogen or a halo or halomethyl group; or R¹ and R² together form a methylenedioxy, or a difluoro-methylenedioxy group or, R¹ and R² together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, an aromatic ring; R³ is hydrogen or a halo group;

A is one of the groups X or Y

wherein X¹ and X² are the same or different and each is a fluoro, chloro, bromo or methyl group, and Y¹ , Y² , Y³ and Y⁴ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or a fluoro, bromo, chloro, or methyl group;

A is CH₂, CF₂, CCl₂, O, S SO, NH or NZ

R⁴ and R⁵ together form =O when A¹ is CH₂; and R⁶ is hydrogen, deuterium, CN, or C=CH; and R⁷ is 3-phenoxyphenyl, 2-phenoxy-6-pyridyl,

2-phenoxy-3-fluoro-6-pyridyl, pentafluorophenyl,

4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl, N-pyrollyl-3-benzyl,

3 ,4-methylene-dioxy phenyl; or 3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-phenyl; R² is hydrogen or deuterium.

2. Compounds as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the group A¹ is -O-.

3. Compounds as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the group A¹ is -S-.

4. Compounds as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the group A¹ is -SO-.

5. Compounds as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the group A¹ is -NH- or -NZ-.

6. Compounds as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the group A¹ is -CH₂- and R⁴ and R⁵ together form =O.

7. Any one of the compounds defined in Table 1 or Table 2 of the foregoing specification.

8. An arthropodicidal composition, characterized in that it comprises as an active ingredient a compound of the formula (I) in admixture with a diluent or carrier.

9. A composition as claimed in Claim 8 , characterized in that it includes at least one substance which has a synergistic or intensifying effect on pyrethroids.

10. A composition as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the substance is selected from propynyl ethers, propynyl oximes, propynyl carbamates,propynyl phosphonates, S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithionates, [2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-4,5-methylenedioxy-2-propyltoluene (Piperonyl butoxide),

3-hexyl-5(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-cyclohexanone

(Piperonyl cyclonene),

2-(3,4-methylenedioxy-phenoxy)-3,6,9-trioxaundecane

(Sesoxane or Sesamex),

1,2-(methylenedioxy)-4-[2-(octylsulfinyl)propyl] benzene (Sulfoxide), and dipropyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-7-methylnaphtho- [2,3-d] 3-dioxole-5,6-dicarboxylate (n-Propyl isome).

11. A composition as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that the substance is present in the composition in an amount of from 1/100th to fifty times the weight of the compound of formula (I).

12. A composition as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that the amount is from 1/100th to five times the weight of the compound of formula (I).

13. A method of combating arthropods, characterized in that a compound of the formula (I) alone or in the form of a composition as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 12, is applied to the arthropods, or to a habitat thereof.

14. A method of freeing or protecting domesticated animals from parasitical insects or acarids, characterized in that a compound of the formula (I) alone or in the form of a composition as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 12 is applied to said animals.