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Review
. 2025 May;81(5):2491-2510.
doi: 10.1002/ps.8320. Epub 2024 Jul 18.

Alkyl sulfones: discovery of novel structural types with differentiated opportunities for insect control

Andrew J F Edmunds  1 , Michel Muehlebach  1 , Pierre M Jung  1 , Ottmar F Hueter  1 , André Stoller  1 , André Jeanguenat  1 , Daniel Emery  1 , Vikas Sikervar  2 , Indira Sen  3 , Sebastian Rendler  1 , Anke Buchholz  1
Affiliations
Review

Alkyl sulfones: discovery of novel structural types with differentiated opportunities for insect control

Andrew J F Edmunds et al. Pest Manag Sci. 2025 May.

Abstract

The discovery of novel chemical classes with novel modes of action for insect control form the backbone of innovation with the goal to deliver much-needed solutions into the hands of growers. Over the last decade, alkyl sulfones have emerged as one of the most versatile new classes and are under intensive investigation in many R&D programs in the industry, with Sumitomo Chemicals recently introducing oxazosulfyl as a first active ingredient to the market. In this review, we discuss some of our strategies to invent novel classes based upon ligand-based design, and also show how incorporation of physical chemical properties into our design enabled us to predictably control chewing and sucking pests. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: VAChT inhibition; alkyl sulfones; insect control; physical chemistry; synthesis.

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References

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