Recent topics in the chemistry of synthetic pyrethroids containing certain secondary alcohol moieties

Four important classes of synthetic pyrethroids containing certain secondary alcohol moieties, namely the α‐cyano‐3‐phenoxybenzyl esters, the analogous α‐ethynyl esters, 1‐(3‐phenoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐ynyl esters and 2‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐3‐(prop‐2‐ynyl)‐cyclopent‐2‐enyl esters and their most active isomers, are introduced with essential descriptions of synthetic pathways, optical resolution and determination of absolute configuration. The relationship between stereochemistry and the biologically active enantiomers of esters formed from the major secondary alcohols is discussed.