Substituent Effects on Chemosterilant Activity of 2,4-Di-tert-butyl-6-(4'-substituted benzyl)phenols in the House Fly (Musca domestica L.)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jf00059a037

A series of 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(4'-X-benzyl)phenols was prepared, analogous to the compound Jurd 2644 (X = OMe) in an attempt to establish a Hammett relationship between the 4'-substituent and the chemosterilant activity of the compounds after oral administration to adult Musca domestica.Fourteen compounds of this type were prepared, 12 of them new.Jurd 2419 (X = H) was found to be as active in our bioassay as Jurd 2644, as were four new compounds .All prevented successful reproduction at 30 mg/kg of diet.There was no correlation between Hammett ? and activity.Active compounds all had small substituents and molecular weights below 350.The activity seemed to be determined by the bulk of X rather than by its electronic properties. - Keywords: Reproduction; delayed toxicity; Jurd 2644