Synthesis of the thiirane analogs of juvenile hormone III and other juvenile hormone mimics.

Methyl (2E,6E)-10,11-epithio-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6-dodecadienoate (the thiirane analog of JH III), 6,7-epithiogeranyl 4-methylphenyl ether and 6,7-epithiogeranyl 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl ether were synthesized. An infrared absorption band at ~1090 cm−1 was attributable to the thiirane group. The biological activity of these three sulfur-containing JH mimics was tested on Culex pipiens, Aedes aegypti and Spodoptera litura to reveal weak or no JH-like activity.