A simple and efficient synthesis of fused morpholine pyrrolidines/piperdines with potential insecticidal activities.

A simple and efficient synthesis of fused morpholine pyrrolidine/piperdine core structures was accomplished via a Petasis-borono Mannich reaction of cyclic amino alcohols, glyoxal and arylboronic acids with moderate to good yields. The bioassay data showed that the synthesized compounds displayed selective insecticidal activities against armyworm and root-knot nematode.