To
explore insecticides targeting the γ-aminobutyric acid
(GABA) receptor, two series of novel isoxazoline derivatives containing
sulfonic and carboxylic esters were designed and synthesized. Their
insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella, Mythimna separata, and Aedes aegypti larvae and their structure–activity
relationship were investigated. The sulfonate-containing isoxazoline
derivatives (10k–q) exhibited promising insecticidal
activities against the three insect larvae. Compound 10o displayed excellent activities with LC50 values of 8.32,
5.23, and 0.35 μg/mL at 48 h against P. xylostella, M. separata, and A. aegypti larvae, respectively, which were better
than or similar to those of avermectin. Furthermore, compound 10o exhibited a faster insecticidal effect than avermectin
against M. separata. The mode of action
of 10o was preliminarily verified by molecular docking,
theoretical calculations, and measurement of glutamate decarboxylase
and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities. Compound 10o is a novel insecticidal candidate acting on GABA receptors, which
could guide the discovery of isoxazoline insecticides.
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