Synthesis of All the Stereoisomers of 13,17-Dimethyl-1-tritriacontene and 13,17-Dimethyl-1-pentatriacontene, the Contact Sex Pheromone Components of the Female Tsetse Fly, Glossina austeni

Abstract

All of the stereoisomers of 13,17-dimethyl-1-tritriacontene (1) and 13,17-dimethyl-1-pentatriacontene (2), the contact sex pheromone components of the female tsetse fly (Glossina austeni), were synthesized starting from the enantiomers of the protected syn- and anti-2,6-dimethylheptane-1,7-diol (3), which were prepared from the enantiomers of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoate (4) and methyl phenyl sulfone (5).