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The relationship between the chemical constitution of organic compounds and their toxicity to insects.1
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Abstract
1. The various classes of insecticides are outlined, and the sense in which the term “contact insecticide” is used is denned as one which is brought into external contact with the insect, either as solid, liquid or vapour.
2. An analysis is made of the relationships between chemical constitution and insecticidal action in the vapour phase. There is rough correlation between both the molecular weights and volatilities of organic compounds and toxicity, but it is probable that these relationships are only indirectly involved and that they indicate a connection of a more direct kind with some other property such as adsorption.
3. An account is given of the toxicity to insects of certain plant products. The most potent of these are certain tropical leguminous plants used as fish-poisons. A brief account is given of the chemical derivatives found in these plants. One of them, “tubatoxin,” is one of the most potent contact insecticides known.
4. A list of the groups of organic chemicals tested for their toxic action on Aphis rumicis and the eggs of Selenia tetralunaria is given. A more detailed account is given for each group of the relationships between chemical constitution and insecticidal action. It is shown that the substitution of certain radicals in the benzene ring profoundly affects toxicity, but that toxic action depends not only upon the radicals but the number substituted and in certain cases upon their relative position.
5. 3 : 5-Dinitro-o-cresol is shown to have a most powerful ovicidal effect.
6. An examination of the toxicity of the fatty acids is made. It is shown that as the series is ascended toxicity increases up to undecylic acid, after which it declines.
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- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1927
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