Efficient synthesis of ( R)- and ( S)-3-octanol, ( R)-2-dodecanol, ( R)-2-methyl-4-heptanol and ( R)-2-methyl-4-octanol: the pheromones of Myrmica scabrinodis, Crematogaster castanea, C. liengmei, C. auberti and Metamasius hemipterus

Abstract

A simple and efficient synthesis of optically active insect pheromones, such as ( R)- and ( S)-3-octanol, ( R)-2-dodecanol, ( R)-2-methyl-4-heptanol and ( R)-2-methyl-4-octanol starting from non-racemic β-hydroxy sulfides has been established.