Synthesis and Insecticidal Activity of Sesquilignan Analogs with 2-Alkyl-6-methoxy-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1,4-benzodioxanyl Group

The methoxymethyl group of the 6-methoxy-2-methoxymethyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1,4-benzodioxan-7-yl moiety of insecticidallignans of Phryma was modified with sereral alkyl groups to evaluate the effect on activity of the substituents. The assay results make it evident that this activity was significantly modified by the chain length or bulkiness of the alkyl groups and that the oxygen atom of the methoxymethyl group was fairly important for enhancing the activity.