2011 Volume 36 Issue 2 Pages 205-211
Prodrug is a biologically inactive substance, which decomposes enzymatically and releases the original drug after applied to a biological system. Prodrug is designed to correct some flaws in an original ingredient. This article addresses molecular designs in the neonicotinoid class from a prodrug aspect. Oxadiazine modification of the clothianidin molecule into thiamethoxam is the successful application of hydrolysis of acetal-type prodrugs. N-Alkyl imidacloprid derivatives designed to impart lipophilicity were reported to be dealkylated to imidacloprid by P450 oxidation. Improvement of the photostability of nitromethylene neonicotinoids has been attempted by constructing their Mannich base. Crown ether conjugation to imidacloprid is an expansion to provide the original insecticide with amphiphilic properties. Prodrug lead modification will be a promising approach to break new ground for the neonicotinoid insecticide class.