N-Haloacetylimino neonicotinoids: Potency and molecular recognition at the insect nicotinic receptor

A structure-activity relationship study for N-haloacetylimino neonicotinoid insecticides helps to describe their molecular recognition at an insect nicotinic receptor structural model, wherein the neonicotinoid halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine) variously interact with the receptor loops C-D interfacial niche undergoing H-bonding and/or hydrophobic interactions.