Aedes aegypti serves as the primary vector for several tropical infectious diseases, imposing a substantial burden on public health. The arboviruses transmitted by this vector, including dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), and yellow fever (YFV) viruses, have led to a significant surge in human morbidity and mortality across many countries (Mendes Gomes Magalhães et al., 2021; Tabanca et al., 2016). In Brazil, during the first four months of 2022, there were 757,068 probable cases of DENV, resulting in an incidence rate of 354.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Compared to 2021, this marked a staggering 151.4% increase in reported cases during the same period. As for CHIKV, there were 70,092 probable cases reported, with an incidence rate of 32.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, reflecting a 74.6% rise in cases compared to the preceding year. In terms of ZIKV data, there were 5787 probable cases reported, corresponding to a rate of 2.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, indicating a substantial 214.5% increase in case numbers across the country (Brasil Ministério da Saúde, 2022).

The worsening of these diseases is likely attributed to uncontrolled mosquito proliferation, exacerbated by the increasing resistance observed in response to current commercial insecticides. Vector control strategies have traditionally relied on the application of synthetic insecticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), temephos, and pyrethroids, among others. While these chemical agents have proven to be the most effective means of mosquito control, their indiscriminate and routine use over many decades has led to the development of resistance in mosquitoes. Moreover, this approach has resulted in human intoxication, the emergence of chronic diseases, and adverse environmental impacts (Braga and Valle, 2007; Kay and Collins, 1987).

Previous studies have identified alkaloid compounds, with a particular focus on piperine 1 derived from the black pepper fruit (Piper nigrum L., Piperaceae), as having insecticidal properties (Miyakado et al., 1979; Siddiqui et al., 2004). These alkaloids, in addition to featuring the amide functional group, also possess a common 1,3-benzodioxole subunit. This shared structural element may serve as a crucial pharmacophore associated with their insecticidal activity.

Hence, in this study, we employed the principle of vinylogy, which suggests that the electronic effects of a functional group within a molecule can be conveyed, through interposed conjugated multiple bonds, to a distant position within the molecule (Curti et al., 2020). Building upon this principle, we utilized the 1,3-benzodioxole subunit found in compound 1 as a fundamental building block for synthesizing acid derivatives. To assess the impact of spacer modification on insecticidal activity, we also introduced reductions in the double bonds of piperic acid 2 and 3,4-(methylenedioxy) cinnamic acid 4 (Fig. 1).