THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF DDT AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

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Abstract
Sixty-eight compounds were examined for insecticidal activity, using Drosophila melanogaster as the test insect and the inner sides of glass containers as the test surface. The compounds included series of halogen analogues, reduced compounds, carbinols and their esters, ethanones, diphenylamines, and the gamma isomer of cyclohexane hexachloride. Activity was shown especially by the fluorine analogues and carbinol esters. Some compounds were briefly examined for mammalian toxicity.The findings of other workers on the more important compounds are discussed and compared with those presently reported. No constant relation could be established between insecticidal activity and mammalian toxicity, or ease of dehydrochlorination. Low oil solubility was associated with low insecticidal potency (four compounds). No clear association of fat solubilizing or toxic properties with particular parts of the molecule was found.The essentials of an active molecular structure are a two-carbon chain with one para-substituted phenyl ring on carbon 1 and a di- or tri-halogen group on a saturated carbon 2. Steric factors are also important.
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