2-ARYLPROPYL ETHER DERIVATIVES

2-Arylpropyl ether or thioether derivatives represented by the following general formula [I]: [I] wherein Ar stands for an aryl group, R stands for a methyl or ethyl group, Y stands for an oxygen or sulfur atom, and B stands for a group represented by the following formula [II]: [II] or the following general formula [III]: [III] wherein Z stands for an oxygen or sulfur atom or a carbonyl or methylene group, R1 stands for a hydrogen or halogen atom or a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group, and n is an integer of from 1 to 5 with the proviso that when n is 2 or more, the groups R1 may be the same or different, are produced by reacting a compound represented by the following formula (V): (V) with a compound represented by the following formula (VI): B-CH2-D (VI) wherein Ar, R and B are defined above, A is a halogen atom and D is Y-H in which Y is as defined above, in the presence of a base in dimethylsulfoxide or sulfolane. The compounds thus prepared have excellent insecticidal and acaricidal activities while the toxicity of these compounds are very low.