Highlights • OH/eaqexhibits appreciable reactivity towards the insecticide thiacloprid The majority of • OH attack the key cyanoiminothiazolidine pharmacophore α-aminoalkyl, N-centred, α-(alkylthio)alkyl and >S •-OH radicals form on this moiety One-electron reduction occurs at the pyridyl function yielding pyridinyl radicals Destruction of pharmacologically important substructures is anticipated