Chalcones as promising pesticidal agents against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): microwave-assisted synthesis and structure–activity relationship

A series of chalcones ( A –CH=CH–CO– B ) were synthesized under microwave irradiation, and for the first time their pesticidal activity against diamondback moth ( Plutella xylostella ) was evaluated to identify the promising lead structures. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that electron-withdrawing substituents on ring A of chalcone provided good pesticidal agents, whereas, ring B can bear either electron-withdrawing or electron-releasing substituents. Moreover, compound 22 having para -Cl substitution on ring A as well on ring B showed maximum activity with LC 50 value of 170.24 μg mL −1 .