Solvatochromic behaviour and larvicidal activity of acridine-3-carboxylates

A new series of substituted ethyl 10-chloro-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-12-phenyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[a]acridine-3-carboxylates, 3a–e have been synthesized through NaOH base mediated cyclocondensation of (E)-7-chloro-2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-9-phenyl-3,4-dihydroacridin-1(2H)-ones, 1a–e with ethyl acetoacetate. Structures of these synthesized molecules were studied by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and EI-MS. And all the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their UV-absorption studies with various metal solutions. Acridine-3-carboxylate derivatives were tested against fourth instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi and Hippobosca maculata. Among those compounds, 3b and 3e have good larvicidal activities against both A. stephensi and H. maculata. Toxicity of compounds, 3b and 3e compounds were evaluated with the reference non-target aquatic species like, Sphaerodema annulatum Fabricius (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) and Zyxomma petiolatum Rambur (Odonata: Libellulidae) results very low LC50 values revels that, the synthetic compounds are non toxic.