Pyrrole and pyrrolidine analogs: The promising scaffold in discovery of pesticides

Pyrrole is a heterocycle with four carbon atoms and a nitrogen atom, which is extensively used in the pesticide and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, it has a series of analogs such as pyrrolidine, pyrroline, and pyrrolidone. Pesticides containing pyrrole and its analogs have been formally marketed as fungicides, including fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, the insecticide chlorfenapyr, and the herbicide fluorochloridone. In this paper, we analyze the structure and biological activities (SARs) of pesticides containing these structures. We summarize the characteristics possessed by the most highly active pyrrole and its analogs and provide an overview of research on pyrrole compounds with insecticidal, antimicrobial, herbicidal, and antiviral properties in the past 20 years. It is hoped to provide ideas for the development and design of this type compounds in pesticides and to assist researchers in this area.