Naphthalene Derivatives as Termite Repellents and Toxicants

Abstract

Several derivatives of naphthalene, including 1′-acetonaphthone, 2′-acetonaphthone, 1-methoxynaphthalene, and 2-methoxynaphthalene, were discovered to be effective toxicants and repellents of termites, and resulted in significant reduction in termite feeding activity. For example, 2′-acetonaphthone was found to be an effective repellent and feeding deterrent of termites. Termites exposed to concentrations as low as 8 mg/kg sand exhibited a significant reduction in tunneling and feeding activity. Moreover, some of the dead termites had symptoms indicative of a failure to molt. At concentrations ≧20 μg/cm 2 , 2′-acetonaphthone was a strong repellent. Interestingly, at 160-fold lower concentration (0.125 μg/cm 2 ), 2′-acetonaphthone stimulated termite feeding activity. As a sand barrier, 2′-acetonaphthone significantly inhibited tunneling and feeding activity in concentrations from 8.33 to 35.0 mg/kg. Molting problems were also identified in termites exposed to 2′-acetonaphthone.

1 . A method to provide a protective barrier from termite infestation, comprising the step of treating said a material selected from the group consisting of mulch and a wood building product with an effective amount of a compound selected from the group of 1′-acetonaphthone, 2′-acetonaphthone, 1-methoxynaphthalene, and 2-methoxynaphthalene; wherein such treated material substantially kills or repels termites as compared to the toxicity or repellency of such material without the added compound. 
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the compound is 1′-acetonaphthone. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the compound is 2′-acetonaphthone. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the compound is 1-methoxynaphthalene. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the compound is 2-methoxynaphthalene. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 3 , wherein the material is treated with an amount of 2′-acetonaphthone greater than 8 g/g. 
     
     
         7 . A method in  claim 1 , additionally comprising the addition of one or more compounds selected from the group comprising 1′-acetonaphthone, 2′-acetonaphthone, 1-methoxynaphthalene, 2-methoxynaphthalene, α-cedrene, nootkatone, bicyclovetivenol, and zizanol. 
     
     
         8 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A composition for a protective barrier against termite infestation, said barrier composition comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a mulch and a wood building product and an effective amount of a compound selected from the group comprising 1′-acetonaphthone, 2′-acetonaphthone, 1-methoxynaphthalene, and 2-methoxynaphthalene; wherein such barrier substantially repels termites as compared to the repellence of such barrier without the added compound. 
     
     
         16 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the compound is 1′-acetonaphthone. 
     
     
         17 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the compound is 2′-acetonaphthone. 
     
     
         18 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the compound is 1-methoxynaphthalene. 
     
     
         19 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the compound is 2-methoxynaphthalene. 
     
     
         20 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the material is a mulch. 
     
     
         21 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the material is a wood building product. 
     
     
         22 . A composition as in  claim 17 , wherein the concentration of 2′-acetonaphthone in said barrier is at least about 8 g/g. 
     
     
         23 . A composition as in  claim 15 , additionally comprising the addition of one or more compounds selected from the group comprising 1′-acetonaphthone, 2′-acetonaphthone, 1-methoxynaphthalene, 2-methoxynaphthalene, -cedrene, nootkatone, bicyclovetivenol, and zizanol. 
     
     
         24 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the material is mulch. 
     
     
         47 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the material is a wood building product. 
     
     
         48 . A method as in  claim 46 , wherein the mulch is dried grass. 
     
     
         49 . A method as in  claim 46 , wherein the mulch is another wood product. 
     
     
         50 . A composition as in  claim 20 , wherein the mulch is dried grass. 
     
     
         51 . A composition as in  claim 20 , wherein the mulch is another wood product.