AbstractThe synthesis of propesticides is an important concept in design of modern agrochemicals with optimal efficacy, environmental safety, user friendliness and economic variability. Based on increasing knowledge of the biochemistry and genetics of major pest insects, weeds and agricultural pathogens, the search for selectivity has become an ever more important part of pesticide development and can be achieved by appropriate structural modifications of the active ingredient. Propesticides affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion parameters, which can lead to biological superiority of these modified active ingredients over their non‐derivatised analogues. Various selected commercial propesticides testify to the successful utilisation of this concept in the design of agrochemicals. This review describes comprehensively the successful utilisation of propesticides and their role in syntheses of modern agrochemicals, exemplified by selected commercial products coming from different agrochemical areas. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry