The synthesis and photolarvicidal activity of 2,5-diarylethynylthiophenes

The photoactivatable insecticides have photoactive features and broad applications. The derivatives of the α-terthienyl analogues were synthesized for evaluating their photolarvicidal activities and 13 2,5-diarylethynylthiophenes were investigated to determine their effect on the second-instar larvae of Plutella xylostella L. Based on their photolarvicidal activities, the 2,5-Dithienylethynylthiophene, 2,5-Diphenylethynylthiophene, 2,5-Di-4-Methoxylphenylethynylthiophene and 2,5-Di-3,4-Methylenedioxyphenylethynylthiophene were found to be the most potent compounds, and their LC50 values were 34.1 mg l−1, 48.4 mg l−1, 60.8 mg l−1 and 42.7 mg l−1, respectively. The relationship analysis between structure and activity showed that the middle thiophene ring played an important role on the activities. The electron donor substituents increased the photolarvicidal activities and the length of the alkyl chain had negative influence on the activities.