Acute and delayed neurotoxicity of leptophos analogs

Nineteen O-halogenated-phenyl O-methyl phenylphosphonothionates were evaluated for acute toxicity (LD₅₀) to the female house fly Musca domestica L. and to the male Swiss white mouse, and for delayed neurotoxicity to the White Leghorn hen. The electron-withdrawing power of the phenyl substituents (Σσ^- values) correlate with the LD₅₀ values to house fly and mouse, with departures from linearity attributable to the steric hindrance of di-ortho-Cl substitution and by variations in the accessibility of the anionic site of acetylcholinesterase in the two species. The relationship with delayed neurotoxicity is less predictable although it clearly depends on suitable electron-withdrawing capacity. Delayed neurotoxicity also relates to a high degree of lipophilicity and prolonged residence time of the inhibitor in the nerve axon.