A series of hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives were designed and synthesized through aza-Diels-Alder reactions and evaluated for insecticidal activities. Compounds 6a-d with endoconformation were endowed with excellent insecticidal activities against cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) and armyworm (Pseudaletia separata Walker), whereas exo-compounds 7a-d showed only low activities against cowpea aphid. The difference in activities between the endo- and exoconformations indicated that conformation was the determinant of life or death of the insects for these compounds.

We have developed novel asymmetric routes to (-)-9-epi-pentazocine and (-)-aphanorphine from a D-tyrosine derivative. The tricyclic frameworks of (-)-9-epi-pentazocine and (-)-aphanorphine were assembled stereoselectively via intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of the corresponding bicyclic precursors, generated with titanium-promoted enyne cyclization and indium-initiated atom-transfer radical cyclization, respectively.

A new series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide derivatives have been synthesized by direct heterocyclization reaction of substituted benzoylisocyanate with various aroylhydrazones as novel monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The target molecules have been identified on the basis of satisfactory analytical and spectra (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HR-MS) data. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their MAO inhibitory activity by kynuramine fluorimetric assay method. The preliminary results showed that most of the compounds have moderate inhibitory activities toward MAO at the concentration of 10-5-10-3 M. This work may provide a novel class of lead compounds with potential MAO inhibitions for further optimization.

We have developed a chromogenic and fluorescent chemodosimeter 3, based on a novel anioncatalyzed intramolecular hydrogen transfer, which displayed drastic changes in UV-Vis absorption as well as fluorescence emission intensities showing selectively for F- over other anions.

Strong electron-deficient heterocycles of acetyl Fipronil (F3) was designed and synthesized, its ability for anion recognition was investigated by UV and NMR analyses. This novel Fipronil-based receptor F3 shows strong binding affinity with acetate (P107 M1), phosphate or fluoride ion through efficient deprotonation. In addition, its interaction with chloride anion or other weak base anions through stable intermolecular H-bonding was also reported.