Research and Development of a Low Toxic Insecticide, Etofenprox

Etofenprox 1 (experimental code number : MTI-500) is a new synthetic insecticide discovered and developed by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc. In 1978, we began searching a compound with low toxicity to fish as to be used in paddy fields, and after two years, we found a second lead compound 16. We tried to optimize the skeleton of compound 16, and as a result, 2- (4-ethoxyphenyl) -2-methylpropyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether was selected as a candidate for development. It is now registered for agricultural use in Japan and some countries in Southeast Asia. Etofenprox 1 is low in acute mammalian toxicity and fish toxicity, and has several favorable properties compared with conventional insecticides.