| 摘要 |
Bicyclic lactones of formula: <FORM:0864926/IV (b)/1> wherein Z is a hydrocarbon group or a substituted hydrocarbon group which with the two carbons to which it is attached completes a non-aromatic unsubstituted or substituted carbocyclic ring, preferably of 5-7 carbon atoms, and R1, R2 and R1 are each hydrogen or alkyl and may be the same or different, are prepared by subjecting to a modified DielsAlder addition reaction an unsaturated nonaromatic carbocyclic aldehyle or ketone of formula: <FORM:0864926/IV (b)/2> and an unsaturated ether of formula: R1R2C=CHOR3 wherein R3 is alkyl, hydrogenating the resulting unsaturated addition product and oxidising the hydrogenated product to said lactone. The addition reaction is preferably effected at elevated temperature, e.g. about 160 DEG C., under superatmospheric pressure; a catalyst such as hydroquinone may be used. The hydrogenation is advantageously effected in an alcoholic medium in the presence of Raney nickel at, for example, 120-170 DEG C. and 100-150 atmospheres. The oxidation is preferably carried out with hydrogen peroxide in a slightly acid medium. The products have insecticidal activity (see Group VI). Examples describe the preparation of the lactones of: (1) (2-hydroxymethylcyclopentyl) acetic acid, (2) a mixture of isomeric a -(2-hydroxy-methyl-2-and 3- methylcyclopentyl) propionic acids, and (3) a -(2-hydroxymethylcyclohexyl) propionic acid.ALSO:Insecticidal compositions comprise bicyclic lactones of formula <FORM:0864926/VI/1> wherein Z is a hydrocarbon group or a substituted hydrocarbon group which with the two carbons to which it is attached completes a non-aromatic, unsubstituted or substituted carbocyclic ring, preferably of 5-7 carbons, and R1, R2 and R1 are each hydrogen or alkyl and may be the same or different. Adjuvants and/or other pesticides may be present. Specified lactones are those of (2-hydroxymethylcyclopentyl) acetic acid; a mixture of isomeric a - (2 - hydroxymethyl - 2 - and 3 - methylcyclopentyl) propionic acid; and a -(2-hydroxymethylcyclohexyl) propionic acid. |
