Design, synthesis and insecticidal activity of novel hydrocarbylidene nitrohydrazinecarboximidamides

BACKGROUND Neonicotinoids, among the most important pesticides in recent decades, have played pivotal roles in controlling agricultural pests. However, the toxicity to some environmentally beneficial insects is a cause of concern. The development of novel insecticides safer to these insects is increasingly urgent. RESULTS A novel series of hydrocarbylidene nitrohydrazinecarboximidamides were designed and synthesised, starting from S‐methylisothiourea sulphate. Preliminary bioassays showed that the target molecules exhibited good activities against Lipaphis erysimi (turnip aphid) and Myzus persicae. As shown by initial insecticidal activity data, most of the target compounds had moderate to excellent activities at a concentration of 600 mg L−1 against L. erysimi, and the lethal rate of most compounds exceeded 90%. They were also highly effective against M. persicae. Some of them have shown excellent insecticidal activities, for example, the LC50 values of compounds Ie‐02 to Ie‐07 were found to be 3.8, 3.0, 2.5, 3.1, 4.1 and 4.0 mg L−1 respectively. CONCLUSION Structure–activity relationship analysis indicated that a suitable flexible alkyl chain at the imine point and a Cl‐substituted pyridine ring are the most crucial factors affecting the activity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry