Bruce L. Finkelstein

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of novel pyrazole methanesulfonates

A model has been used to design novel pyrazole methanesulfonates. The pyrazole carboxamide methanesulfonates demonstrated insecticidal activity with low levels of acute mammalian toxicity. The amides formed from amines with α-branching (e.g. isopropyl and sec-butyl) demonstrated the highest level of activity. The model has also been used to design novel pyrazole sulfonamide methanesulfonates with very high levels of insecticidal activity. Most of the sulfonamides also possessed significant acute mammalian toxicity. Rice paddy field testing of the carboxamides on field population hoppers gave poor results.

Discovery of oxathiapiprolin, a new oomycete fungicide that targets an oxysterol binding protein.

Oxathiapiprolin is the first member of a new class of piperidinyl thiazole isoxazoline fungicides with exceptional activity against plant diseases caused by oomycete pathogens. It acts via inhibition of a novel fungal target-an oxysterol binding protein-resulting in excellent preventative, curative and residual efficacy against key diseases of grapes, potatoes and vegetables. Oxathiapiprolin is being developed globally as DuPont™ Zorvec™ disease control with first registration and sales anticipated in 2015. The discovery, synthesis, optimization and biological efficacy are presented.

Tricyclic cyanoguanidines: synthesis, site of action and insecticidal activity of a novel class of reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Bridged-tricyclic cyanoguanidines 1 were found to be active as insecticides. The preparation and structure-activity relationships of oxacyclic (X=O) and carbocyclic (X=CH(2)) analogues of 1 is described. Compounds 1 were found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase with IC(50) values comparable to the organophosphate Paraoxon. Unlike organophosphates, cyanoguanidines 1 were shown to reversibly bind acetylcholinesterase. This mode of action is shared by the structurally-related natural product Huperzine A.

Synthesis and Insecticidal Activity of Novel Pyridine Methanesulfonates

A model has been developed which has led to the design and synthesis of novel 6-methanesulfonyloxypyridine-2-carboxamides with insecticidal activity, low mammalian toxicity and safety to aquatic organisms. The amides formed from amines with α branching (e.g. isopropyl and sec-butyl) demonstrated the highest level of activity. Rice nursery box field test results on laboratory raised insects gave insufficient control of the entire Japanese hopper spectrum to warrant further development of these compounds.

Synthesis, insecticidal and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of a new class of heterocyclic methanesulfonates

Abstract A series of 3-methanesulfonyloxy-2-pyrazolines were prepared by mesylation of the corresponding pyrazolidin-3-ones. The compounds exhibited strong insecticidal and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity.