Spiropidion discovery: Broad spectrum control of sucking insects and mites for multicrop utility

Spiropidion is a new tetramic acid family member (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee MoA Group 23) discovered and currently developed by Syngenta Crop Protection. This novel active ingredient incorporates a spiro methoxy-piperidine ring as a main chemical innovation and discovery highlight. Spiropidion is a proinsecticide that upon hydrolysis releases its potent active principle (a 2-aryl-cyclic-1,3-dione derivative that can undergo keto–enol tautomerism) responsible for the target site binding in insects. Spiropidion dione acts as an inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, disrupting fatty acid biosynthesis. Weak acid character of the cyclic-1,3-dione unit, water solubility, and lipophilicity importantly drive long-distance translocation in crop plants, which occurs in both phloem sieve elements and xylem vessels of the plant vascular system. Uniquely, this two-way systemicity of the active principle allows its distribution to the new growth at shoots and roots after foliar application, thus offering a real whole plant protection for an effective control of especially sucking pests. Spiropidion has a favorable toxicological and environmental profile, and owing to good safety to pollinators and other nontarget organisms, it is perfectly suitable for IPM practices. This new insecticide provides excellent control of aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, scales, and mites in vegetables and specialty crops. While also highly effective against insect populations resistant to neonicotinoids (NNICs), this nonneuronal acting chemistry is anticipated to answer some of today's NNIC challenges. Aspects of discovery, synthesis, biological activity, physicochemical properties, and safety attributes are presented herein.