Mosquito repellents based on a natural chromene analogue with longer duration of action than N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET).

Mosquito repellents play a major role in reducing bites and therefore mitigating transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. There is concern by some about the reported neurotoxic effects of the popular repellent DEET. Also, a product with longer effective activity after application is needed. This paper describes the synthesis and repellent activity of (2,2 dimethyl-2H-chromen-5-yl)methanol, a derivative of chromene amide that is a compound from the plant Amyris texana . This compound is more potent and provides longer duration of protection than DEET against Aedes aegypti (L.), the primary vector that transmits pathogens causing yellow and dengue fevers in humans.