Synthesis and characterization of alkyl‐, alkenyl‐, acyl‐ and nitrogen‐substituted derivatives of the potent phototoxin α‐terthiophene

Some alkyl-, alkenyl-, acyl- and nitrogen- derivatives of α-terthienyl 1 have been synthesized in an effort to expand the potential insecticidal activity profile of this compound. The introduction of substituents was carried out directly on the α-terthienyl molecule. Three compounds were isolated in the nitration reaction and the compounds have been identified as 5-nitro-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene 5, 3′-nitro-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene 6 and 3-nitro-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene 7 respectively. Preliminary results of biological acitivity are reported.