AN EASY ROUTE TO INSECT PHEROMONES WITH A E-Z OR Z-E CONJUGATED DIENE STRUCTURE

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)95171-2

Insect pheromones having a conjugated diene system of E-Z or Z-E configuration can be prepared with high stereoselectivity, by means of addition reactions of Z-dialkenyl cuprates to phenylthioacetylene.The alkadienyl sulphides intermediates are then subjected to a cross-coupling reaction with Grignard reagents, in the presence of a Ni(II) complex as a catalysts, leading to the desired pheromones.