Regioselective synthesis of fraxinellone-based hydrazone derivatives as insecticidal agents.

In continuation of our program aimed at the discovery and development of natural products-based insecticidal agents, twenty-three new fraxinellone-based hydrazone derivatives were smoothly prepared from fraxinellone via regioselectively allylic oxidation in the presence of selenium dioxide or chromium trioxide under microwave irradiation and subsequent condensation with hydrazides or hydrazines. Their insecticidal activity was evaluated against the pre-third-instar larvae of Mythimna separata Walker in vivo. Especially compounds 6d and 7a displayed the most pronounced insecticidal activity compared with toosendanin, a commercial botanical insecticide derived from Melia azedarach.