Biphenylmethyl Pyrethroids
Ernest L. Plummer · ACS symposium series · 1984
A major portion of successful pesticide design comes from continued work in areas where there is already a considerable body of knowledge. The probability of success for these programs can be improved significantly by adopting the systematic approach embodied in current QSAR (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship) strategies. These strategies not only provide techniques for rapid optimization of leads but when applied to their fullest capabilities can provide models from which new lead areas can be generated. Synthetic pyrethroid insecticides represent a particularly timely example of a mature pesticide area that has received continued interest well after the pioneering works of Michael Elliott and others had established seemingly complete structure-activity relationships ( 1, 2 ). In 1976 our laboratory began a program aimed at finding and developing novel synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. Following basic QSAR strategies we were able to not only identify a novel lead area but to quickly optimize activity in that area,