The recent emergence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) and of the new type of human influenza A (H1N1) have emphasized the need for the development of effective anti‐influenza drugs. Presently, neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors are widely used in the treatment and prophylaxis of human influenza virus infection, and tremendous efforts have been made to develop more potent NA inhibitors to combat resistance and new influenza viruses. In this review, we discuss the structural characteristics of NA catalytic domains and the recent developments of new NA inhibitors using structure‐based drug design strategies. These drugs include analogues of zanamivir, analogues of oseltamivir, analogues of peramivir, and analogues of aromatic carboxylic acid and present promising options for therapeutics or leads for further development of NA inhibitors that may be useful in the event of a future influenza pandemic.

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular addition of C-N and S-N bond to alkynes with the migration of functional groups has been achieved. A wide range of functional groups including acyl, pyruvoyl, amide, and sulfonyl groups can migrate smoothly and be conveniently introduced at the C-3 postion of indoles in our catalytic system. The operational simplicity and broad substrate scope demonstrate the great potential of this method for the synthesis of highly functional indoles.