**2. The origin of spirotetramat**

Evidence exists indicating that compounds derived from the structural unit of tetramic acid have biological activities across a wide spectrum; antibiotic tirandamicin A and the phytotoxin of tenuazonic acid are examples of this type of compounds found in nature [3]. Furthermore, there are synthetic compounds that are utilized as herbicides and insecticides as in the case of spirotetramat (commercial name Movento®) developed by Bayer CropScience as an insecti‐ cide [3, 4]. The discovery of this compound came about through research into improving myticide and herbicide activity by Bayer with compound derived from tetramic acid. As a first step in this research, compounds were synthesized with the Bucherer-Bergs reaction of tetramic acid (compound 1a in Figure 1] and its acetyl derivative (compound 1b in Figure 1), splitting the 1-amino-4-methyl-carboxylic acid methyl ester cyclohexane. According to the research, they observed a significant improvement in herbicidal activity in comparison with analogous compounds where spirocyclic were not substituted. In another research, t they also reported that the compound 1b demonstrated excellent myticide activity and was highly effective against the aphid *Myzus persicae* [5].

Previous evaluations in the investigation led to derivatives of spirocyclic tetramic acid alkoxysubstituted. In this case, the mechanism is the synthesis of Strecker and the splitting of the 4 metoxy-1-amino-ciclohexane-carbonitrile (compound 2 in Figure 2) and they were able to obtain and isolate isomer mixes; the least present isomer had good control of *Myzus persicae,* which at that time was close to the efficacy of the best aphicide, imidacloprid. However, the

Source: [5]

**1. Introduction**

42 Insecticides Resistance

spirotetramat [1].

the possibility of developing resistance.

**2. The origin of spirotetramat**

effective against the aphid *Myzus persicae* [5].

On a worldwide level, farmers' crops are being attacked by a wide variety of insect pests, these results in increased costs of production and can even result in the total loss of the crop. For this reason, there is a constant search for compounds or formulations for the control of new pests or for those that have developed resistance. The pesticides that are effective and are also environmentally friendly are highly valued; these versatile products are able to be part of the best agricultural practices and biological control leading to an integrated pest management program without the need for compounds that also harm non-target organisms. Based on the need to offer new and better products, in 2008 Bayer synthetized from tetramic acid a com‐ pound that had already demonstrated insecticidal properties, a new compound called

Spirotetramat acts as an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of lipids and represents a new alternative for the control of problematic insects, such as apple wholly whitefly and whitefly biotype Q, which cause severe damage in agricultural crops and have developed resistance to the commonly used pesticides used for their control [1, 2]. For these reasons, this research was initiated into a review of the origin and chemical properties of spirotetramat, looking into possible uses, its fate in the environment (soil, air, and water), its metabolism in plants, and

Evidence exists indicating that compounds derived from the structural unit of tetramic acid have biological activities across a wide spectrum; antibiotic tirandamicin A and the phytotoxin of tenuazonic acid are examples of this type of compounds found in nature [3]. Furthermore, there are synthetic compounds that are utilized as herbicides and insecticides as in the case of spirotetramat (commercial name Movento®) developed by Bayer CropScience as an insecti‐ cide [3, 4]. The discovery of this compound came about through research into improving myticide and herbicide activity by Bayer with compound derived from tetramic acid. As a first step in this research, compounds were synthesized with the Bucherer-Bergs reaction of tetramic acid (compound 1a in Figure 1] and its acetyl derivative (compound 1b in Figure 1), splitting the 1-amino-4-methyl-carboxylic acid methyl ester cyclohexane. According to the research, they observed a significant improvement in herbicidal activity in comparison with analogous compounds where spirocyclic were not substituted. In another research, t they also reported that the compound 1b demonstrated excellent myticide activity and was highly

Previous evaluations in the investigation led to derivatives of spirocyclic tetramic acid alkoxysubstituted. In this case, the mechanism is the synthesis of Strecker and the splitting of the 4 metoxy-1-amino-ciclohexane-carbonitrile (compound 2 in Figure 2) and they were able to obtain and isolate isomer mixes; the least present isomer had good control of *Myzus persicae,* which at that time was close to the efficacy of the best aphicide, imidacloprid. However, the **Figure 1.** Compounds derived from tetramic acid with improved herbicidal activity.

results demonstrated a disadvantage in that they saw an increase in the herbicidal activity of the sample [5].

**Figure 2.** Molecular structure of spirotetramat.
