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, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F 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.