Design, synthesis, and insecticidal activities of the novel sulfur-containing meta-amide compounds as potential pesticides

The potential risks associated with the high halogen content of typical meta-amide ( m-diamide) insecticidals aroused concerns among researchers. Hoping to make discoveries by introducing sulfur elements with good environmental compatibility, a series of novel sulfur-containing m-amide derivatives C were synthesized through exploration under mild conditions according to the literature. And the structures were confirmed by melting points, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, 19 F NMR, and HRMS. It was found that some target compounds C exhibited moderate to high insecticidal activities against Aphis craccivora (38.89%–75.00%) and Plutella xylostella (93.33%−100.00%) at 500 mg.L −1 . Especially, the sulfone-containing compound C-3 revealed superior lethality rates against P. xylostella (100%, 12.5 mg.L −1 ) and A. craccivora (75.00%, 500 mg.L −1 ), suggesting its potential as a leading compound for further investigation.