An enantioselective synthesis of insecticidal 4-alkynyloxazolines Original Research Article

2-(2,6-Difluorophenyl)-4-phenylalkynyl oxazolines are potent insect growth regulators. An efficient and enantioselective synthesis to these compounds has been developed which relies on a (−)-sparteine mediated hydroxymethylation of the lithium dianion of propargylic amides.