Pheromone synthesis. Part LVIII. Synthesis of both the enantiomers of eldanolide (trans-3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-4-olide), the wing gland pheromone of the male African sugar-cane borer.

Abstract

Both the natural eldanolide [(3S, 4R)-(+)-3, 7-dimethyl-6-octen-4-olide] and its antipode, the pheromone produced by the male Eldana saccharina (Wlk.), were synthesized from optically pure methyl (R)-(+)-citronellate.