Dihydronootkatone and tetrahydronootkatone as repellents to arthropods

Abstract

Two derivatives of nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone and 1,10-dihydronootkatone, are surprisingly effective as repellents of termites and mosquitos. Tetrahydronootkatone and 1,10-dihydronootkatone were shown to effectively repel termites at concentrations as low as 2 μg/ml and 12.5 μg/ml, respectively. Tetrahydronootkatone was shown to repel mosquitos at a concentration of 5%. Tetrahydronootkatone is an effective repellent of termites either by itself or as an addition to other substrates, including mulches made from wood products or other cellulose-containing material. Tetrahydronootkatone or 1,10-dihydronootkatone can be used to protect construction wood from attack by Formosan subterranean termites, either alone or used in combination with other compounds known to repel termites. It is also believed that these compounds will prove effective in repelling ants, ticks, and cockroaches. These derivatives of nootkatone are non-toxic to humans and other mammals and environmentally safe.

1 - 66 . (canceled)  
     
     
         67 . A method for protecting a material from arthropod infestation, comprising treating the material with an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 1,10-dihydronootkatone and tetrahydronootkatone, wherein the treated material repels arthropods selected from the group consisting of termites, ticks, ants, and cockroaches substantially more than does an otherwise identical material that has not been treated with the compound.  
     
     
         68 . A method as in  claim 67 , wherein the termites are Formosan subterranean termites.  
     
     
         69 . A method as in  claim 67 , wherein the ants are fire ants.  
     
     
         70 . A method as in  claim 67 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of soil, synthetic polymers, diatomaceous earth, sand, natural fibers, feathers, and cellulose-containing materials.  
     
     
         71 . A method as in  claim 67 , wherein the compound is 1,10-dihydronootkatone.  
     
     
         72 . A method as in  claim 67 , wherein the compound is tetrahydronootkatone.  
     
     
         73 . A method as in  claim 67 , additionally comprising treating said material with one or more additional, different compounds selected from the group consisting of 1,10-dihydronootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, nootkatone, zizanol, bicyclovetivenol, and α-cedrene.  
     
     
         74 . A method as in  claim 67 , additionally comprising treating said material with one or more additional, different arthropod repellents and toxicants.  
     
     
         75 . A protective barrier against arthropod infestation, said barrier comprising an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 1,10-dihydronootkatone and tetrahydronootkatone, and a substrate, wherein said barrier repels arthropods selected from the group consisting of termites, ants, cockroaches and ticks substantially more than does an otherwise identical barrier that has not been treated with said compound.  
     
     
         76 . A method as in  claim 75 , wherein the termites are Formosan subterranean termites.  
     
     
         77 . A method as in  claim 75 , wherein the ants are fire ants.  
     
     
         78 . A barrier as in  claim 75 , wherein said substrate is selected from the group consisting of mulch, cellulose-containing material, soil, and diatomaceous earth.  
     
     
         79 . A barrier as in  claim 75 , wherein said compound is 1,10-dihydronootkatone.  
     
     
         80 . A barrier as in  claim 75 , wherein said compound is tetrahydronootkatone.  
     
     
         81 . A barrier as in  claim 75 , additionally comprising treating the substrate with a one or more additional, different compounds selected from the group consisting of 1,10-dihydronootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, nootkatone, zizanol, bicyclovetivenol, and α-cedrene.  
     
     
         82 . A barrier as in  claim 75 , additionally comprising treating the substrate with one or more additional, different arthropod repellents and toxicants.