A new synthesis of serricornin [(4s,6s,7s)-7-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-3-nonanone], the sex pheromone of the cigarette beetle

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)96694-3

Serricornin, the sex pheromone of Lasioderma serricorne F, was synthesised in 7.6% overall yield starting from methyl (R)-3-hydroxypentanoate of microbial origin. Its (4R,6S,7S)-isomer was also synthesised.