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Synthesis of the sex pheromone of the Japanese beetle

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Abstract

The stereospecific synthesis of the sex pheromone produced by the female Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman), (R,Z)-5-1-decenyl)-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone, is described. The pure syntheticR,Z form is a powerful attractant for males of the species in field bioassays and was competitive in attractiveness with live females, whereas the racemicZ isomer and theS,Z enantiomer were strong inhibitors of male response. The saturated analogs of both enantiomers were also synthesized stereospecifically.

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Doolittle, R.E., Tumlinson, J.H., Proveaux, A.T. et al. Synthesis of the sex pheromone of the Japanese beetle. J Chem Ecol 6, 473–485 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402924

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402924

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