Polyene Pheromone Components from an Arctiid Moth (Utetheisa ornatrix): Characterization and Synthesis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00161a024

In our earlier study of the female sex attractant from an arctiid moth (Utetheisa ornatrix), the occurence of an uncharacterized C-21 tetraene was noted along with (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-heneicosatriene, the major pheromone constituent.The sex attractant glands of females from other populations of this moth have now yielded this C-21 tetraene as a major component, accompanied by a new C-21 diene.Spectral and chemical studies of these two EAG-active compounds led to their characterization as (Z,Z,Z)-1,3,6,9-heneicosatetraene and (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadiene.These structures and configurations were confirmed by synthesis.