Insight into dihalogenation of E-ring of podophyllotoxins, and their acyloxyation derivatives at the C4 position as insecticidal agents

Unexpected sequential E-ring dihalogenation of podophyllotoxin analogues is reported. It demonstrated that a chlorine/bromine atom was prior introduced at the C2′ position of podophyllotoxin, and the corresponding free rotation of E-ring around the C1–C1′ bond of 2′-chloro or 2′-bromopodophyllotoxin was restricted. When 2′-chloro or 2′-bromopodophyllotoxin reacted with N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS), the chlorine atom was regioselectively introduced at their C6′ position on the E-ring. Whereas 2′-chloro or 2′-bromopodophyllotoxin reacted with NBS, the bromine atom was regioselectively introduced at their C5 position on the B-ring. When 2′-chloropodophyllotoxin reacted with different carboxylic acids in the presence of BF3·Et2O, the steric effect of its E-ring for stereoselective synthesis of 4β-acyloxy-2′-chloropodophyllotoxin derivatives was observed. The insecticidal activity of 2′(2′,6′)-(di)halogen-substituted podophyllotoxin derivatives were evaluated with Mythimna separata Walker.