Semisynthesis and insecticidal bioactivities of benzoxazole and benzoxazolone derivatives of honokiol, a naturally occurring neolignan derived from Magnolia officinalis.

Two series of 8/8′-alkylthiolbenzoxazole (5a–s) and N-alkyl/sulfonyl-benzoxazolone (7a, c–e, h, k, l, n, o–s, and 8a–e) derivatives of honokiol have been prepared and evaluated for their insecticidal activities against Mythimna separata Walker and Plutella xylostella Linnaeus.