# Patent

## Title
Method for controlling acridians

## Abstract

This application is a 371 of PCT/EP95/04667 filed Nov. 27, 1995.

## Background
The present invention relates to formulations for the dermal control of parasitic insects on animals by means of agonists or antagonists of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors of insects.

Agonists or antagonists of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors of insects are known. They include the nicotinyl insecticides and, very particularly, the chloronicotinyl insecticides.

PCT application WO 93/24 002 discloses that certain 1-[N-(halo-3-pyridylmethyl)]-N-methylanino-1-alkylamino-2-nitroethylene derivatives are suitable for systemic use against fleas in domestic animals. According to WO 93/24 002, the nonsysternic--i.e. dermal--mode of application is unsuitable for the control of fleas on domestic animals.

New formulations for the dermal application of agonists or antagonists of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors of insects have now been found which are particularly suitable for dermal control of parasitic insects, such as fleas, lice or flies, on animals.

The formulations according to the invention have the following composition: insects in a concentration of from 1 to 20% by weight based on the overall weight of the formulation; pyrrolidones in a concentration of at least 20% by weight based on the overall weight of the formulation; or lactones in a concentration of from 5.0 up to 80% by weight based on the overall weight of the formulation; agents, colorants, antioxidants, propellants, preservatives, adhesives, emulsifiers, in a concentration of from 0.025 up to 10% by weight based on the overall weight of the formulation.

Agonists or antagonists of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors of insects are known, for example, from European Offenlegungsschriften (European Published Applications) Nos. 464 830, 428 941, 425 978, 386 565, 383 091, 375 907, 364 844, 315 826, 259 738, 254 859, 235 725, 212 600, 192 060, 163 855, 154 178, 136 636, 303 570, 302 833, 306 696, 189 972, 455 000, 135 956, 471 372, 302 389; German Offenlegungsschriften (Gerrnan Published Specifications) Nos. 3 639 877, 3 712 307; Japanese Offenlegungsschriften (Japanese Published Applications) Nos. 03 220 176, 02 207 083, 63 307 857, 63 287 764, 03 246 283, 04 9371, 03 279 359, 03 255 072, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,034,524, 4,948,798, 4,918,086, 5,039,686, 5,034,404; PCT Applications Nos. WO 91/17 659, 91/4965; French Application No. 2 611 114; Brazilian Application No. 88 03 621.

Express reference is hereby made to the compounds described in these publications and to their preparation.

These compounds can be represented preferably by the general formula (I) ##STR1## in which R represents, hydrogen, optionally substituted radicals from the group acyl, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; aryl, or represents a bifinctional group which is linked to the radical Z; radical --CH.dbd. instead of a H-atom to be linked to the radical Z; ##STR2## or represents a bifunctional group which is linked to the radical A or to the radical X.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I) are those in which the radicals have the following meaning: the series acyl, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl. arylcarbonyl, alkylsulphony, arylsulphonyl, (alkyl)-(aryl)-phosphoryl, which may in turn be substituted. -alkyl, specifically methyl, ethyl, i-propyl, sec- or t-butyl, which may in turn be substituted. and N, O, S especially N as heteroatoms. Specifically there may be mentioned thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, benzothiazolyl, heteroarylethyl having up to 6 ring atoms and N, O, S, especially N as heteroatoms. alkyl having preferably 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n- and i-propyl and n-, i- and t-butyl; alkoxy having preferably 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n- and i-propyloxy and n-, i- and t-butyloxy; alkylthio having preferably 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms, such as methylthio, ethylthio, n- and i-propylthio and n-, i- and t-butylthio; halogenoalkyl having preferably 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms and preferably 1 to 5, in particular 1 to 3 halogen atoms, the halogen atoms being identical or different and being preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine, especially fluorine, such as trifluoromethyl; hydroxyl; halogen, preferably fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, especially fluorine, chlorine and bromine; cyano; nitro; amino; monoalkyl- and dialkylamino having preferably 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms per alkyl group, such as methylamino, methyl-ethyl-amino, n- and i-propylanino and methyl-n-butylamino; carboxyl; carbalkoxy having preferably 2 to 4, in particular 2 or 3 carbon atoms, such as carbomethoxy and carboethoxy; sulpho (--SO.sub.3 H); atkylsulphonyl having preferably 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms, such as methylsulphonyl and ethylsulphonyl; arylsulphonyl having preferably 6 or 10 aryl carbon atonms, such as phenylsulphonyl, and also heteroarylamino and heteroarylalkylamino such as chloropyridylamino and chloropyridylmethylamino. substituted radicals from the series acyl, alkyl, aryl, which preferably have the meanings given for R. A additionally represents a bifunctional group. There may be mentioned optionally substituted alkylene having 1-4, in particular 1-2 C atoms, substituents which may be mentioned being the substituents listed earlier above, and it being possible for the alkylene groups to be interrupted by heteroatomns from the series N, O, S. saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring. The heterocyclic ring can contain a further 1 or 2 identical or different heteroatoms and/or hetero-groups. Heteroatoms are preferably oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen, and hetero-groups are preferably N-alkyl, where the alkyl in the N-alkyl group preferably contains 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms. As alkyl there may be mentioned methyl, ethyl, n- and i-propyl and n-, i- and t-butyl. The heterocyclic ring contains 5 to 7, preferably 5 or 6 ring members. piperidine, piperazine, hexamethyleneirnine, hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine, morpholine, each of which may optionally be substituted preferably by methyl. mention may be made of NO.sub.2, CN, halogenoalkylcarbonyl such as 1,5-halogeno-C.sub.1-4 -carbonyl especially COCF.sub.3. where R and the substituents preferably have the meaning given above. to which it is attached and with the radical ##STR3## instead of X a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring. The heterocyclic ring can contain a further 1 or 2 identical or different heteroatoms and/or hetero-groups. The heteroatoms are preferably oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen, and the hetero-groups N-alkyl, in which case the alkyl or N-alkyl group preferably contains 1 to 4, in particular 1 or 2 carbon atoms. As alkyl there may be mentioned methyl, ethyl, n- and i-propyl and n-, i- and t-butyl. The heterocyclic ring contains 5 to 7, preferably 5 or 6 ring members. piperidine, piperazine, hexamethyleneimine, morpholine and N-methylpiperazine.

As compounds which may be used with very particular preference in accordance with the invention, mention may be made of compounds of the general formulae (II) and (III): ##STR4## in which n represents 1 or 2, very particularly chlorine,

Specifically, the following compounds may be mentioned: ##STR5##

The formulations according to the invention contain the active substance in concentrations of from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably from 1 to 12.5% by weight.

Preparations which are diluted before use contain the active substance in concentrations of from 0.5 to 90% by weight, preferably from 1 to 50% by weight.

In general it has proved to be advantageous to administer quantities of from about 0.5 to about 50 mg, preferably from 1 to 20 mg, of active substance per body weight per day in order to achieve effective results.

Suitable solvents are:

benzyl alcohol or optionally substituted pyrrolidones such as 2-pyrrolidone, 1-(C.sub.2-20 -alkyl)-2-pyrrolidone, in particular 1-ethylpyrrolidone, 1-octylpyrrolidone, 1-dodecylpyrrolidone, 1-isopropylpyrrolidone, 1-(s- or t- or n-butyl)pyrrolidone, 1-hexylpyrrolidone, 1-(C.sub.2-20 -alkenyl)-2-pyrrolidone such as 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1-(C.sub.3-8 -cycloalkyl)-2-pyrrolidone such as 1-cyclohexylpyrrolidone, 1-(C.sub.1-6 -hydroxyalkyl)-2-pyrrolidone, 1-(C.sub.1-6 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-6 -alkyl)-2-pyrrolidone such as 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidone, 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)pyrrolidone, 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-pyrrolidone, 1-(3-methoxypropyl)-pyrrolidone, and also 1-benzylpyrrolidone. Particular mention may be made of benzyl alcohol or n-dodecyl- or n-octylpyrrolidone. These solvents can be employed either alone or in a mixture with additional solvents (cosolvents).

They are present in a concentration of at least 20% by weigh; preferably from 40 to 90% by weight, particularly preferably from 50 to 90% by weight.

Suitable additional solvents or cosolvents are: cyclic carbonates or lactones. As such there may be mentioned: ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, .gamma.-butyrolactone.

They are present in a concentration from 5.0 up to 80% by weight, preferably from 7.5 to 50% by weight, particularly preferably from 10 to 50% by weight.

Suitable further auxiliaries are: preservatives such as benzyl alcohol (not required if already present as solvent), trichlorobutanol, p-hydroxybenzoic esters, n-butanol.

Thickeners such as: inorganic thickeners such as bentonites, colloidal silicic acid, aluninium monostearate, organic thickeners such as cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones and copolymers thereof, acrylates and methacrylates.

Colorants which may be mentioned are all colorants where use on the animal is permitted, which may be dissolved or suspended.

Auxiliaries are also spreading oils such as di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, isopropyl myristate, dipropylene glycol pelargonate, cyclic and acyclic silicone oils such as dimeticones and also co- and terpolymers thereof with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and formalin, fatty acid esters, triglycerides, fatty alcohols.

Antioxidants are sulphites or metabisuiphites such as potassium metabisuiphite, a scorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, tocopherol.

Light stabilizers are, for example, substances from the class of the benzophenones or Novantisol acid.

Adhesives are, for example, cellulose derivatives, starch derivatives, polyacrylates, naturally occurring polymers such as alginates, gelatin.

Auxiliaries are also emulsifiers such as nonionic surfactants, for example polyoxyethylated castor oil, polyoxyethiylated sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, glycerol monostearate, polyoxyethylstearate, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers;

ampholytic surfactants such as di-Na N-lauryl-.beta.-ininodipropionate or lecithin;

anionic surfactants, such as Na-lauryl sulphate, fatty alcohol ether sulphates, mono/dialkyl-polyglycol ether orthophosphoric ester monoethanolamine salt; cationic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride.

Further auxiliaries are agents with which the formulations according to the invention can be sprayed or squirted onto the skin. These are the conventional propellent gases required for spray cans, such as propane, butane, dimethyl ether, CO.sub.2 or halogenated lower alkanes, or mixtures thereof with one another.

While being of low toxicity to warm-blooded species, the formulations according to the invention are suitable for the control of parasitic insects which are encountered in animal keeping and animal breeding in domestic and productive animals and in zoo and laboratory animals and animals used for experimentation and in the pursuit of hobbies. In this context they are active against all or individual stages of development of the pests and against resistant and normally sensitive species of the pests.

The pests include:

from the order of the Anoplura e.g. Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Solenopotes spp., Pediculus spp., Pthirus spp.; from the order of the Mallophaga e.g. Trimenopon spp., Menopon spp., Eomenacanthus spp., Menacanthus spp., Trichodectes spp., Felicola spp., Damalinea spp., Bovicola spp; from the order of the Diptera e.g. Chrysops spp., Tabanus spp., Musca spp., Hydrotaea spp., Muscina spp., Haematobosca spp., Haematobia spp., Stomoxys spp., Fannia spp., Glossina spp., Lucilia spp., Calliphora spp., Auchmeromyia spp., Cordylobia spp., Cochliomyia spp., Chrysomyia spp., Sarcophaga spp., Wohlfartia spp., Gasterophilus spp., Oesteromyia spp., Oedemagena spp., Hypoderma spp., Oestuus spp., Rhinoestrus spp., Melophagus spp., Hippobosca spp.

From the order of the Siphonaptera e.g. Ctenocephalides spp., Echidnophaga spp., Ceratophyllus spp.

Particular mention may be made of the action against Siphonaptera, especially against fleas.

The productive and breeding animals include mammals such as, for example, cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, camels, water buffalo, donkeys, rabbits, fallow deer, reindeer, fur-bearing animals such as, for example, mink, chinchilla or racoon, birds such as, for example, chickens, geese, turkeys, ducks.

Laboratory animals and those for experimentation include mice, rats, guinea pigs, golden hamsters, dogs and cats.

The hobby animals include dogs and cats.

Administration can be effected both prophylactically and therapeutically.

In the shaped articles according to the invention, it is also possible for further active substances to be present. The further active substances include insecticides such as phosphorus-containing compounds, i.e. phosphates or phosphonates, natural or synthetic pyrethroides, carbamates, amidines, juvenile hormones and juvenoid synthetic active substances, and chitin synthesis inhbitors such as diaryl ethers and benzoylureas.

The phosphates or phosphonates include: (bromophos-ethyl),

The carbamates include:

The synthetic pyrethroides include acid (.varies.-cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxy)-benzyl ester (flumethrin), 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylate (cyfluthrin) and its enantiomers and stereomers, trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (deltamethrin), 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylate (cypermethrin), trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (permethrin), (fenvalerate), 2-(2-chloro-.varies.,.varies.,.varies.-trifluoro-p-toluidino)-3-methylbuty rate (fluvalinate).

The amidines include: (amitraz).

Cyclic macroliths such as invermectins and abamectins. In this context there may be mentioned, for example, 5-0-dimethyl-22,23-dihydroavermectin-A.sub.1a, -22,23-dihydroavermectin B.sub.1a and 22,23-dihydroavermectin B.sub.b1 (cf. for example WHO.

F.A Series 27, pp. 27-73 (1991)). The juvenile honnones and juvenile hormone-like substances include, in particular, compounds of the following formulae: ##STR6##

The substituted dial ethers include, in particular #STR7## R.sup.1  R.sup.3  R.sup.5   R.sup.6 Z ______________________________________ H        H        CH.sub.3  H       O H H CH.sub.3 2-Cl O 5-F H CH.sub.3 H O H H CF.sub.3 H O H H C.sub.2 H.sub.5 H O H H H H O H H CH.sub.3 H CH.sub.2 H H CH.sub.3 H C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ______________________________________

The benzoyl uireas include compounds of the formula #STR8## R.sup.1     R.sup.2   R.sup.4 ______________________________________ H           Cl        CF.sub.3 Cl Cl CF.sub.3 F F CF.sub.3 H F CF.sub.3 H Cl SCF.sub.3 F F SCF.sub.3 H F SCF.sub.3 H Cl OCF.sub.3 F F OCF.sub.3 H F OCF.sub.3 - F F #STR9## - F F #STR10## - F F ##STR11## ______________________________________

The triazineinclus compounds of the formula #STR12## R.sub.1    R.sub.2        R.sub.3 ______________________________________ Cyclopropyl H              H Cyclopropyl H CH.sub.3 Cyclopropyl H C.sub.2 H.sub.5 Cyclopropyl H C.sub.3 H.sub.7 -n Cyclopropyl H C.sub.4 H.sub.9 -n Cyclopropyl H C.sub.5 H.sub.11 -n Cyclopropyl H C.sub.6 H.sub.13 -n Cyclopropyl H C.sub.7 H.sub.15 -n Cyclopropyl H C.sub.8 H.sub.17 -n Cyclopropyl H C.sub.12 H.sub.25 -n Cyclopropyl H CH.sub.2 --C.sub.4 H.sub.9 -n Cyclopropyl H CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.2 H.sub.5 Cyclopropyl H CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 Cyclopropyl Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5 Cyclopropyl Cl C.sub.6 H.sub.13-n Cyclopropyl Cl C.sub.8 H.sub.17-n Cyclopropyl Cl C.sub.12 H.sub.25 -n Cyclopropyl H Cyclopropyl Cyclopropyl H COCH.sub.3 Cyclopropyl H COCH.sub.3 HCl Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.2 H.sub.5 HCl Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.2 H.sub.5 Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -n Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -i Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.4 H.sub.9 -t HCl Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.4 H.sub.9 -n Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.6 H.sub.13 -n Cyclopropyl H COC.sub.11 --H.sub.23 -n Cyclopropyl COCH.sub.3 COC.sub.2 H.sub.5 Cyclopropyl COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -n COC.sub.6 H.sub.13 -n Cyclopropyl COCH.sub.3 COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -n Cyclopropyl COC.sub.2 H.sub.5 COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -n Cyclopropyl H COCyclopropyl Cyclopropyl COCyclopropyl COCyclopropyl Cyclopropyl COCH.sub.3 COCH.sub.3 Isopropyl H H Isopropyl H COCH.sub.3 Isopropyl H COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -n Cyclopropyl H CONHCH.sub.3 Cyclopropyl H CONHC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -i Cyclopropyl CONHCH.sub.3 CONHCH.sub.3 Cyclopropyl H SCNHCH.sub.3 Cyclopropyl H CONHCH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 Cyclopropyl CONHCH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 CONHCH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 Cyclopropyl CSNHCH.sub.3 CSNHCH.sub.3 ______________________________________

Particular emphasis should be given to the further active substances having the common names propoxur, cyfluthrin, flumewfrin, pyriproxyfen, methoprene, diazinon, amitraz, fenthion and levamisol.

In the examples which follow, the active substance employed is 1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinium (common name imidacloprid). Imidacloprid           10    g Propylene carbonate 45 g Benzyl alcohol 45 g .RTM. Belsil DMC 6031 1 g ______________________________________ (A polysiloxane copolymer from Wacker GmbH, D81737 Munich) Imidacloprid           10     g n-octyl-2-pyrrolidone 44.5 g .gamma.-butyrolactone 44.5 g .RTM. Belsil L 066 1 g ______________________________________ (A polysiloxane copolymer from Wacker GmbH, D81737 Munich) Imidacloprid           8.5    g n-dodecyl-pyrrolidone 45.25 g .gamma.-butyrolactone 45.25 g .RTM. Belsil L 066 1 g ______________________________________ (Polysiloxane copolymer as spreading agent) Imidacloprid          10     g Benzyl alcohol 89.9 g .RTM. Belsil DMC 6031 0.1 g ______________________________________ (polysiloxane copolymer as spreading agent) Imidacloprid          12.5   g Benzyl alcohol 70.0 g propylene carbonate 17.5 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid           10.0   g 1-cyclohexylpyrrolidone 80.0 g Propylene carbonate 10.0 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid          11.0    g Benzyl alcohol 70.0 g Propylene carbonate 15.0 g Isopropyl myristate 4.0 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid           12.5   g Benzyl alcohol 70.0 g Propylene carbonate 17.4 g Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.1 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid           10.0   g Benzyl alcohol 70.0 g Propylene carbonate 17.5 g Di-2-ethylhexyl adipate 2.5 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid          12.5   g 2-pyrrolidone 70.0 g Propylene carbonate 17.5 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid           10.0   g Pyriproxyfen 1.0 g Benzyl alcohol 70.0 g Propylene carbonate 18.9 g Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.1 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid          12.5   g Triflumuron 2.5 g Benzyl alcohol 60.0 g Propylene carbonate 27.5 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid          10.0   g Flumetrin 2.0 g Benzyl alcohol 60.0 g Propylene carbonate 28.0 g ______________________________________ Imidacloprid          10.0   g Benzyl alcohol 60.0 g Ethylene carbonate 15.0 g Propylene carbonate 15.0 g ______________________________________

2 ml of the formulation described in Example 1 was poured onto the back of a dog weighing 20 kg which was ineted with fleas. The following results were obtained: Number of fleas Period of time per dog Day             Untreated Treated  % Action ______________________________________ -1 Infestation with 100 fleas 0 Treatment and counting 30 0 100 5, 8 Infestation with 100 fleas 9 Counting 56 0 100 15 Infestation with 100 fleas 16 Counting 76 0 100 19 Infestation with 100 fleas (untreated animals) 250 fleas (treated animals) 20 Counting 39 0 100 26 Infestation with 100 fleas 27 Counting 43 0 100 ______________________________________

1 ml of the solution according to Example 4 was placed on the shoulders of a dog weighing 20 kg. The animal was infested with 200 fleas after 2 and after 6 days of treatment. On day 3 and on day 7, respectively, of the treatment, the fleas remaining on the dog were counted. No living fleas were found. The action was 100%.

## Claims

1. A composition for the dermal control of parasitic insects on animals comprising: an agonist or antagonist of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors on insects in a concentration of from about 1% to about 20% by weight based on the overall weight of the composition comprising effective amount of the compound; ##STR13## a solvent selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohols and optionally substituted pyrrolidones in a concentration of at least 20% to 90% by weight based on the overall weight of the composition, and optionally an additional solvent selected from the group consisting of cyclic carbonates and lactones in a concentration of from 5.0 up to 80% by weight based on the overall weight of the composition, and an auxiliary selected from the group consisting of thickeners, spreading agents, colorants, antioxidants, propellants, preservatives, adhesives, and emulsit.

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the auxiliary is selected from the group consisting of thickeners, spreading agents, colorants, antioxidants, propellants, preservatives, adhesives and emulsifiers in a concentration of from about 0.025% to about 10% by weight based on the overall weight of the composition.

3. A method for the dermal control of parasitic insects on animals, comprising applying to an animal in need thereof a physiologically active amount of the composition according to claim 1.