Pyrethroid insecticides contain natural pyrethrins extracted from pyrethrum flowers, and their synthetic derivatives, pyrethroids. The present article provides an overview of the structure of natural pyrethrins, and the discovery and development of pyrethroids with an emphasis on the background of selected compounds. The stereochemical relationships among pyrethroid secondary alcohols, and toxicologic and environmental effects of pyrethroids are also discussed. Finally, the pyrethroid resistance of mosquitoes and future aspects of pyrethroids are addressed.
Keywords: insecticide; pyrethrins; pyrethroid resistance; pyrethroids; stereochemistry.