Structure-activity relationship study of synthetic hydrazines as ecdysone agonists in the control of spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana)

A quantitative structure-activity relationship study was performed for a number of aroylhydrazine compounds with respect to their biological activity against spruce budworm. It was found that the biological activity can be modulated by substituents on the aromatic rings. Substituents with high π value and small L value lead to increase in biological activity. Molecular mechanics calculations were used to explain how the active compounds may mimic the strong-binding Y region of ecdysone. Keywords: spruce budworm, ecdysone, agonist, hydrazines, quantitative structure-activity relationship.