Abstract

Eight hydroxytriazenes were synthesized and then subjected to spot tests. The composition of these hydroxytriazenes was analyzed using elemental analysis and their physical characteristics like melting point, crystal shape and colour were studied into details. The synthesized compounds were screened for their insecticidal activities against one day old male Drosophila melanogaster Meig (vinegar flies or fruit flies). Out of all the eight compounds screened, 3-hydroxy-3-m-tolyl-1-m-nitrophenyltriazene, 3-hydroxy-3-m-tolyl-1-p-methoxyphenyltriazene, 3-hydroxy-3-n-propyl-1-o-chlorophenyltriazene were the most active having LC₅₀ values of 2.898, 3.898 and 1.812 ppm respectively. The least active compound is 3-hydroxy-3-m-tolyl-1-phenyltriazene having the value of 16.850 ppm. Heptachlor, a commercial product, had LC₅₀ value of 1.570 ppm.

Key words: Insecticidal activity, Hydroxytriazenes, Drosophila melanogaster Meig.