2-((3-cyano-4,6-distyrylpyridin-2-yl)thio)acetophenone (2) was synthesized by the reaction of 3-cyano-4,6-
distyrylpyridin-2(1H)-thione (1) with an alkylating agent, phenacyl bromide in the presence of fused sodium
acetate and ethanol. Compound 2 underwent Thorpe-Ziegler cyclization upon heating in ethanolic sodium
ethoxide solution to yield the target, 3-amino-2-benzoyl-4,6-distyrylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine (3). Elemental and
spectral characterizations of the newly synthesized compounds 2 and 3 have been achieved. Both compounds 2 and 3 exhibited significant insecticidal activities after treated for 24 and 48 h compared with the reference compound, acetamiprid, when screened for their insecticidal activity against the nymphs and adults of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. Therefore, the results obtained are very promising,and accentuate on the importance of such heterocyclic pyridine compounds as efficient pesticides.