The synthesis and larvicidal activity ofN-aroyl-N′-(5-aryl-2-furoyl)ureas

A novel type of diarolyurea compound containing a furan ring has been designed and prepared. Thus, a series of N-aroyl-N′-(5-aryl-2-furoyl)ureas were synthesized by a nucleophilic addition reaction between 5-substituted furamide and aroyl isocyanate in high yield (>80%). Their structures were confirmed by IR, [1H]NMR and elemental analyses. Bioassay showed that some of them exhibited activity against second-instar larvae of the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti L.). With the aid of artificial neural network combined with multivariable regression, a preliminary study was made of structure–activity relationship.