Abstract
Methanesulfonates of phenol and hydroxy heteroaromatic compounds possessing an isobutylthio substituent were synthesized and their lethal activity against six species of insects and mites was tested. The insecticidal spectrum and potency of these aryl methanesulfonates varied according to the aromatic moiety. Compounds the aryl moiety of which is phenyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl and thiazolyl showed high insecticidal activity to N. cincticeps, N. lugens and C. pipiens. For high insecticidal activity, the isobutylthio group was required at the β (meta) position with regard to the sulfonate side chain. The corresponding and sulfones showed high inhibitory activity to acetylcholinesterase preparations from N. cincticeps, housefly heads and bovine erythrocytes.