Cyclaniliprole: A novel diamide insecticide

Ryanodine receptor modulators are an important topic in insecticide research in the early 21st century. Diamides are a novel group of ryanodine receptor modulators with very high insecticidal activities and selectivities against various Lepidopteran pests. Using chlorantraniliprole as a lead compound, we examined how different substitutions at the phenyl, amide, and pyrazole moieties affect this compound's insecticidal activity and spectrum. This chemical structure optimization resulted in the discovery of cyclaniliprole, characterized by its 1-(cyclopropyl)ethyl-substituted amide and 2-bromo-substituted phenyl moieties, which are unique among current diamide insecticides. In this chapter, we describe our discovery of cyclaniliprole and the characterization of its biological activities, including its insecticidal activity against a ryanodine receptor modulator–resistant strain of Plutella xylostella.