(1'R,2S,3R)-2-Hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl-γ-butyrolactone

Abstract

The determination of the structure of the title compound, C 7 H 12 O 4 , allowed the unambiguous elucidation of the absolute configuration of a pheromone produced by the tropical butterfly Prittwitzia hymaenea. This unique pheromone is the 1'-epimer of the title compound. The lactone ring adopts a rather flat, almost ideal envelope conformation. The structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonds