cis-Configuration: A New Tactic/Rationale for Neonicotinoid Molecular Design

Resistance development and limited lepidopteran activities call for the discovery of super-neonicotinoids solving these problems. Compounds with the cis-configuration offer an opportunity for further optimization. Fixing the nitro group in the cis-configuration provided a new approach for neonicotinoid molecular design. Introductions of the heterocycle or a bulky group are two synthesis concepts to fix the cis-configuration of the nitro group. The design, synthesis, bioactivity, and preliminary modes of action of five types of cis-neonicotinoids are reviewed. cis- and trans-Neonicotinoids have some differences in bioactivities and modes of action. This study focused, especially, on the reaction diversities of nitromethylene analogues of imidacloprid with various aldehydes.