New Organophosphate Insecticides Developed on Rational Principles1

Abstract

A new selective insecticide, acethion (O,O-diethyl S-carboelhoxymethyl phosphorodithioate), and a number of related compounds exhibiting selective toxicity have been prepared. They demonstrate the principle that variations in carboxyesterase activity between different species can be utilized to obtain selective toxicity, by inserting a carboxyester grouping near the phosphorus of a phosphorothionate anticholinesterase. The metabolism of these compounds by mouse liver and by some insect preparations has been studied. Acethion is rapidly degraded in the liver to yield principally acethion acid.