New Synthesis of the Both Enantiomers of (Z)-5-(1-Decenyl)-oxacyclopentan-2-one, the Pheromone of the Japanese Beetle

Abstract

The both enantiomers of (Z)-5-(1-decenyl)oxacyclopentan-2-one were synthesized starting from resolved acetylenic intermediates. The (R)-form of this lactone is the pheromone of Popillia japonica. The optical purities of the final products were about 90%.