A Relay Route for the Synthesis of Azadirachtin

摘要

The study of a plant's natural defence mechanisms against predatory insect attack often leads to the discovery of novel molecules that have important biological effects. Such is the case with azadirachtin (1), a fascinating natural product first isolated from the Indian neem tree Azadiracta indica (A. Juss), in 1968. Azadirachtin exhibits potent antifeedant and growth-disruptant properties against a broad spectrum of insect species yet displays very low mammalian toxicity (LD_(50)(rat) > 5 gkg~(-1)) and appears to cause little disruption to beneficial species such as pollinating bees and ladybirds.