Synthesis and Properties of Pentafluorosulfanyl Group (SF(5))-Containing Meta-Diamide Insecticides

Herein, we describe novel pentafluorosulfanyl (SF(5)) group-containing meta-diamide insecticides. For the facile preparation of the SF(5)-based compounds 4a–d, practical synthetic methods were applied. Among newly synthesized compounds, 3-benzamido-N-(2,6-dimethyl-4-(pentafluoro-λ(6)-sulfanyl)phenyl)-2-fluorobenzamide 4d showed (i) a high insecticidal activity, (ii) an excellent selectivity to insects, and (iii) good levels of water solubility and log P values. In this study, we demonstrated that the pentafluorosulfanyl moiety could serve as an attractive functionality for the discovery of a new scope of crop-protecting agents.