Synthesis of All Four Possible Stereoisomers of 5,9-Dimethylpentadecane, the Major Sex Pheromone Component of the Coffee Leaf Miner Moth, Perileucoptera coffeella

Abstract

  All of the four possible stereoisomers of 5,9-dimethylpentadecane, the major sex pheromone component of the coffee leaf miner moth (Perileucoptera coffeella), were synthesized by using the methyl esters of (S)- and (R)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid as chiral sources for the purpose of determining the stereochemistry of the pheromone.