Redox potentials, laccase oxidation, and antilarval activities of substituted phenols

Synthesis, redox potential, oxidation by laccase, and effects on mosquito larval growth of halogenated hydroxybenzenes and substituted di-tert-butylphenols were studied. Substituted di-tert-butylphenols were found to impact mosquito larval growth and in particular, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenol (15) caused greater than 98% mortality of Anophelesgambiae larvae in a concentration of 180 nM.