A new potential aphicide against Myzus persicae: Design, synthesis and 3D-QSAR of novel phenoxypyridine derivatives containing 4-aminopyrimidine

Aphids are destructive insect pests that can cause substantial damage to crops due to their sap-sucking and transmission of plant virus. To find a new aphicide candidate, using the substituted phenoxypyridine alkyl amines as key intermediates, 31 novel phenyloxypyridine derivatives containing 4-aminopyrimidine were designed and synthesized by Intermediate Derivatization Method (IDM). The insecticidal activity of all target compounds were evaluated, and the bioassay results indicated that some compounds showed significant insecticidal activity against Myzus persicae (M. persicae) in vivo. Especially, the activity of T11 (LC50 = 0.34 mg⋅L − 1) was higher than that of Pymetrozine, Flufenerim and other derivatives, indicating that this compound was a promising aphicide candidate for further development. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these derivatives was also analyzed qualitatively. Furthermore, a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) model was established with valuable guidelines that the electrostatic and steric fields played important roles on aphicidal activity. The present work provides helpful clues for the rational design of potential aphid control agents.